Synergistic mechanical, EMI shielding, and deicing performance of CF/PEEK composites enabled by T-ZnO@MXene via electrostatic self-assembly

The escalating demand for multifunctionality in carbon fiber reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (CF/PEEK) composites has intensified the need for next-generation structural materials. However, achieving a synergistic integration of functional performance and structural integrity—rather than a trade-off—remains a critical challenge. Herein, tetrapod-shaped ZnO whiskers decorated with 2D Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets (T-ZnO@MXene) were fabricated via electrostatic self-assembly and incorporated into CF/PEEK composites. This 3D conductive/enhanced network enabled the simultaneous enhancement of mechanical properties, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and electrothermal deicing capabilities. The optimized CF/T-ZnO@MXene/PEEK composites exhibited a flexural strength of 1970.0 MPa, a flexural modulus of 142.3 GPa, and an interlaminar shear strength of 123.2 MPa, representing improvements of 33.4 %, 45.1 %, and 56.7 % over pristine CF/PEEK, respectively. Concurrently, the through-thickness electrical conductivity surged for 7.7 S/m, corresponding to a 76-fold enhancement, while the EMI shielding effectiveness attained 56.7 dB (a 40.7 % increase). In addition, the composites demonstrated efficient electrothermal conversion and reliable deicing performance. Overall, this work provides an effective route to harmonize structural robustness with multifunctional capabilities in CF/PEEK composites, opening new opportunities for advanced aerospace applications.