A Novel Method for Deposition of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes onto Poly(p-Phenylene Terephthalamide) Fibers to Enhance Interfacial Adhesion with Rubber Matrix

Abstract

In order to enhance the interfacial adhesion of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers to the rubber composites, a novel method to deposit multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) onto the surface of PPTA fibers has been proposed in this study. This chemical modification was performed through the introduction of epoxy groups by Friedel–Crafts alkylation on the PPTA fibers, the carboxylation of MWCNTs, and the ring-opening reaction between the epoxy groups and the carboxyl groups. The morphologies, chemical structures, and compositions of the surface of PPTA fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that MWCNTs were uniformly deposited onto the surface of PPTA fibers with the covalent bonds. The measurement of contact angles of the fibers with polar solvent and non-polar solvent indicated that the surface energy of deposited fibers significantly increased by 41.9% compared with the untreated fibers. An electronic tensile tester of single-filament and a universal testing machine were utilized to measure the strength change of the fibers after modification and the interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the rubber matrix, respectively. The results showed that the tensile strength had not been obviously reduced, and the pull-out force and peeling strength of the fibers to the rubber increased by 46.3% and 56.5%, respectively.

Увеличение Экстремальных Значений Предела Прочности Органопластиков При Обработке Арамидного Волокна Многослойными Углеродными Нанотрубками

“…В работе [3] при обработке поверхности арамидного волокна Twaron окисленными многослойными нанотрубками было получено увеличение сдвиговых характеристик композита с полипропиленовой матрицей на 48,6%. В работе [4]…”

Enhancing the Interfacial Adhesion with Rubber Matrix by Grafting Polydopamine-Carbon Nanotubes onto Poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) Fibers

“…In our previous work [27], the fiber structures would be damaged due to the intensity of the Friedel-Crafts alkylation, and the fiber strength reduced slightly [46]. It can be known that the formation of the PDA precursor layer on the PPTA fiber surface may be ascribed to the conjugate action of the conjugated π bond electron cloud of benzene rings and the coating effect of dopamine self-polymerization [45,47], which would not damage the fiber structures theoretically.…”

“…Moreover, they researched the effects of the coating of nano- and microemulsion silicones, hydrophilic and hydrophobic nano-silica particles on the thermal properties of composites [25,26]. In our previous work [27], we improved Friedel-Crafts alkylation and then grafted the carboxylated CNTs onto the epoxy functionalized PPTA fibers under the action of an ultrasonic and basic catalyst. This modification method could significantly improve the interfacial adhesion between PPTA fibers and rubber matrix, as well as reduce the mechanical property of fibers slightly.…”

Experimental Investigation and Constitutive Modeling of the Uncured Rubber Compound Based on the DMA Strain Scanning Method

“…The rubber-fiber composite has become the most preferred type of skeleton in the rubber industry. This is due to its excellent mechanical properties, as can be seen in common rubber products such as tires, air springs, and transport belts [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Researchers can design different rubber-fiber composite products according to their wishes, but the actual performance of these composites can be far from desired.…”