The effect of surface treatment of CF and graphene oxide on the mechanical properties of PI composite

Present investigation elucidates the effect of surface treatment on the mechanical response of carbon fiber (CF)/polyimide (PI) composite loaded with a range of graphene oxide (GO) content. Incorporation of 0.5 wt% GO in CF/PI exhibited 21.1% improvement in flexural strength. The state of interface and its impact on the tensile behavior at various testing temperatures have been discussed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of fractured surfaces has been carried out to comprehend various interfacial strengthening and failure micromechanisms. Surface-treated CFs were incorporated into PI matrix to fabricate a high-performance multiscale composite. To improve the stress transfer between PI and CFs, GO was also grown on fibers to produce GO-grown short CFs. The synergic reinforcing effects of combined fillers were analyzed on the fracture surface of composites through SEM.