Grafting the buffer interphase ''MOF-5'' for acquiring carbon fiber reinforced composite with excellent mechanical and tribological properties

The metal organic frameworks (MOF-5) with nanoscale porosity and organic–inorganic heterocyclic structure were chemically grafted onto carbon fibers by solvothermal for forming high mechanical interlocking composite architectures and releasing the interfacial forces, so as to obtain carbon fiber reinforced composite with excellent mechanical and tribological properties. With the multi-scale enhancement of MOF-5, the optimized tensile and bending strength of the composite increased by about 177.9% and 81.3%, respectively. Moreover, the friction coefficient was higher and relatively stable under the continuous wet friction condition, as well as the wear rate was reduced by 44.4%. The work suggests that the application of MOFs can be extended to the field of structural composites.