Adhesive Force Measurement between HOPG and Zinc Oxide as an Indicator for Interfacial Bonding of Carbon Fiber Composites

Abstract

Vertically aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires have recently been utilized as an interphase to increase the interfacial strength of carbon fiber composites. It was shown that the interaction between the carbon fiber and the ZnO nanowires was a critical parameter in adhesion; however, fiber based testing techniques are dominated by local defects and cannot be used to effectively study the bonding interaction directly. Here, the strength of the interface between ZnO and graphitic carbon is directly measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM) using oxygen plasma treated highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and an AFM tip coated with ZnO nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis is used to compare the surface chemistry of HOPG and carbon fiber and to quantify the presence of various oxygen functional groups. An indirect measurement of the interfacial strength is then performed through single fiber fragmentation testing (SFF) on functionalized carbon fibers coated with ZnO nanowires to validate the AFM measurements. The SFF and AFM methods showed the same correlation, demonstrating the capacity of the AFM method to study the interfacial properties in composite materials. Additionally, the chemical interactions between oxygen functional groups and the ionic structure of ZnO suggest that intermolecular forces at the interface are responsible for the strong interface.

A comprehensive review on mechanical, electromagnetic radiation shielding, and thermal conductivity of fibers/inorganic fillers reinforced hybrid polymer composites

“…[ 149 ] Patterson accepted atomic force microscopy using the tip functionalized from ZnO nanofillers to determine the adhesive force within the functionalized graphite and ZnO and showed that the oxygen functional groups could interact with the ZnO nanoparticles with the addition of zinc and oxygen electron, which granted the adhesion of ZnO on the carbon fiber surface. [ 150 ] The problem of weaker interfacial adhesion within the main filler and nanoparticles can be resolved with the pretreatment on the filler surface is essential to provide the suitable functional groups for the nonmovement and development of ZnO nanoparticles. Zheng introduced a dopamine‐based functionalization technique to nucleate ZnO nanoparticles on the carbon fiber surface by using a stable chelating capacity of polydopamine with metallic ions, offering higher interlocking within the epoxy matrix.…”

In-situ pull-off of ZnO nanowire from carbon fiber and improvement of interlaminar toughness of hierarchical ZnO nanowire/carbon fiber hydrid composite laminates

“…Thus, it is highly important to study the interaction between ZnO NWs and carbon fibers and further reveal the adhesion mechanism that defines the macroscopic properties of the hybrid material and ensure the stability and durability of the hybrid structure. Sodano et al have studied the interaction between ZnO and graphite [16,17]. They applied a ZnO nanoparticle coated AFM tip close to the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite to investigate the interaction between ZnO and carbon substrate.…”

A review on the damping properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites

“…Remarkable enhancement in energy dissipation Figure 7. (a) Carbon fabric composites and (b) dynamic mechanical analysis [115], (c) and (d) nanowires grown on carbon fiber [116], (e) SEM image, and (f) measured adhesive energy [117]. HOPG: highly oriented pyrolytic graphite; NW: nanowire.…”

“…It was shown that the interaction between reinforced fiber and nanoparticles plays a critical role in the bonding conditions. The strength of the interface between vertically aligned zinc oxide and carbon fiber was measured with atomic force microscopy [117]. Carbon nanotubes were deposited on the surface of carbon fibers by low-temperature synthesis technique [118].…”