Amine-caged ZrO2@GO multilayer core-shell hybrids in epoxy matrix for enhancing interfacial adhesion of carbon fiber composites

Amine-caged ZrO2@GO multilayer core-shell hybrids were successfully fabricated and incorporated into epoxy matrix for the first time for enhancing the carbon fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion. Composites with the addition of this hybrid exhibit the highest interfacial shear strength, with 48.4%, 26.7% and 19.5% augmentations over those of untreated, ZrO2 and GO reinforced composites. The strengthening mechanism is by increasing the wettability of resin to the fiber. Moreover, the outer amino-rich cage facilitates the covalent and 7C-7C stacking interactions at interphase, thus transferring stress effectively. Mutual slippage of middle flexible GO could dissipate energy under shear force. The inner rigid ZrO2 is apt to restrict the initiation and propagation of cracks. The three synergies work together to contribute the obvious increment in interfacial adhesion. The innovative utilization of such multilayer core-shell structured hybrids as polymer modifier may provide a design strategy for obtaining composites with ideal interfacial bonding.

Automated summary

In this study, amine-caged ZrO2@GO multilayer core-shell hybrids were successfully fabricated and incorporated into an epoxy matrix for the first time to enhance the carbon fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion. The addition of this hybrid resulted in the highest interfacial shear strength, with significant enhancements compared to untreated, ZrO2, and GO reinforced composites. The strengthening mechanism is achieved by increasing the wettability of the resin to the fiber.