A facile strategy to prepare boron nitride grafted carbon nanotubes coating for CF/ PEEK composites interfacial enhancement

Due to the inertness of carbon fiber (CF) and poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK), the relatively weak interface is a constantly issue that hinders the application of CF/PEEK composites. Herein, a facile approach is proposed to graft carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto hydroxylated boron nitride (BNO). The obtained BNO-CNT, along with polyetherimide (PEI) is used to prepare the sizing agents, coating the CF surface. The introduction of BNO-CNT/ PEI sizing agents provides abundant functional-groups, generating hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interaction at interface. Moreover, the surface roughness and mechanical interlocking are improved due to the existence of sizing agents. These synergistic effects contribute to an enhanced interfacial and mechanical properties. This feasible and effective method exhibits its great potential for fabricating high-performance CF/PEEK composites.

Automated summary

This study proposes a facile and effective method to improve the interface of carbon fiber/poly ether ether ketone composites by grafting carbon nanotubes onto hydroxylated boron nitride and preparing sizing agents with polyetherimide. The introduction of the sizing agents provides abundant functional groups, generating hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interaction at the interface, while also improving surface roughness and mechanical interlocking. This method shows great potential for fabricating high-performance CF/PEEK composites.