Synergistic toughening and electrical functionalization of an epoxy usingMWCNTsand silane‐ /plasma‐activated basalt fibers

Abstract

This work studied the effects of adding short basalt fibers (BFs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), both separately and in combination, on the mechanical properties, fracture toughness, and electrical conductivity of an epoxy polymer. The surfaces of the short BFs were either treated using a silane coupling agent or further functionalized by atmospheric plasma to enhance the adhesion between the BFs and the epoxy. The results of a single fiber fragmentation test demonstrated a significantly improved BF/epoxy adhesion upon applying the plasma treatment to the BFs. This resulted in better mechanical properties and fracture toughness of the composites containing the plasma-activated BFs. The improved BF/epoxy adhesion also affected the hybrid toughening performance of the BFs and MWCNTs. In particular, synergistic toughening effects were observed when the plasma-activated BFs/ MWCNTs hybrid modifiers were used, while only additive toughening effects occurred for the silane-sized BFs/MWCNTs hybrid modifiers. This work demonstrated a potential to develop strong, tough, and electrically conductive epoxy composites by adding hybrid BF/MWCNT modifiers.

Epoxy resin with both ultraviolet shielding and enhanced thermal mechanical properties: Study on synergistic modification of Ce–Zr–Si oxide nanoparticles and basalt fibers

“…Numerous physical and chemical methods have been devised for surface modification, encompassing techniques such as electrospun nanofibers, plasma treatment, magnetron sputtering, surface coupling agent modification, surface nanoparticle loading, surface coating, surface acid and alkali etching, oxidation, and grafting. 2,7,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Jia et al 23 investigated the influence of the structure of the sizing agent chain on the interfacial and thermodynamic properties of BF/PPENK composites. Moreno-Sanchez et al 24 investigated the optimal properties of APTES silanized BF and treated basalt fibers under acidic or alkaline conditions to improve their compatibility with ASA matrices.…”

“…As a result, various methods have been developed to modify the surface of basalt fibers (BF) in order to improve the interfacial bonding between BF and the matrix. Numerous physical and chemical methods have been devised for surface modification, encompassing techniques such as electro‐spun nanofibers, plasma treatment, magnetron sputtering, surface coupling agent modification, surface nanoparticle loading, surface coating, surface acid and alkali etching, oxidation, and grafting 2,7,15–22 . Jia et al 23 investigated the influence of the structure of the sizing agent chain on the interfacial and thermodynamic properties of BF/PPENK composites.…”

“…Moreno‐Sanchez et al 24 investigated the optimal properties of APTES silanized BF and treated basalt fibers under acidic or alkaline conditions to improve their compatibility with ASA matrices. Quan et al 19 explored improving short basalt fiber surfaces through silane coupling treatments and subsequent functionalization via atmospheric plasma to enforce the adhesion between BF and epoxy resin. Numerous studies have confirmed that surface treatment of basalt fibers can be directed to obtain requirements with enhanced mechanical and other properties 7,22,25–31 …”