In this study, a series of soluble aminated polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK-NH 2 ) with good compatibility were designed. Novel water-based sizing agents were then prepared by emulsion/solvent evaporation method, which were selected as CF surface modifiers to improve the interfacial properties of CF/PEEK composites. TGA and DSC results showed that PEEK-NH 2 exhibit excellent thermal properties, and the T g was increased by up to 30.9 °C. The particle diameters of sizing agents range from 54.3 to 73.6 nm, and the contact angles of modified CF were significantly decreased. According to the interfacial properties results, PEEK–NH 2 –35 presented the most effective reinforcing effect, the interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength were increased by 43.1% and 62.2%, as compared to un-sized CF composites . Moreover, the interfacial strengthening mechanisms of sizing agent was investigated. The improved interfacial adhesion benefits from PEEK-NH 2 which performs as effective stress transfer bridge at the interface.
The percolation thresholds of poly ether ether ketone/graphene (PEEK/Gr) composites in most studies are high due to the random distribution of Gr in the matrix. Here, aminated poly-ether-ether-ketone/graphene network (PEEK-NH 2 /GN) nanocomposites were prepared by electrostatic adsorption of PEEK-NH 2 with positive charges and graphene oxide with negative charges, followed by in -situ reduction and hot-pressing. The GN structure of composites was well presented in the images of scanning electron microscope. The PEEK-NH 2 /GN nanocomposites exhibited excellent electrical conductivity with a maximum conductivity of 0.0634 S·cm −1 and a percolation threshold as low as 0.25 vol%. In addition, the maximum tensile strength of nanocomposites was reached at 93 MPa when the Gr content was 0.5 wt%. We believe that this approach is a new avenue for the production of low filler high conductive polymer composites with potential commercial prospects in various fields.