Graphene Oxide/Polymer-Based Multi-scale Reinforcement Structures for Enhanced Interfacial Properties of Carbon Fiber Composites

The development of nano-reinforced materials to form structural composites relies on controlling interfaces between nanomaterials and the bulk material to yield materials that can be applied in fields such as aerospace, wind power energy, and transportation. This paper describes experiments to design and control micro–nano multi-scale interfacial reinforced composites of carbon fiber using electrodeposition and electropolymerization in a one-step method. First, the adhesion of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets on the fiber surface was effectively enhanced through the simultaneous deposition of GO nanosheets and electro-grafting of monomers. The deposition efficiency of GO nanosheets was significantly boosted with polymerization of monomers. The interlaminar shear strength and interfacial shear strength of the composites treated for only 120 s were increased from 40.8 and 50.5 to 54.6 and 73.9 MPa, an increase of 33.8 and 46.3%, respectively. Investigation of the mechanism of failure of the composites showed that it was due to the cohesive failure of the resin from interfacial debonding. This paper reports a theoretical and experimental basis for the continuous preparation of nano-reinforced carbon fiber and high-performance advanced composites.