Enzymatic surface modification of Kevlar fibers

Surface modification of Kevlar by grafting carbon nanotubes

“…Therefore, to use Kevlar fiber as reinforcement, surface modification is essential to enhance its reinforcing effect. In the literature, there are three approaches of surface‐modification for Kevlar fiber: (a) coating with coupling agents or physical and chemical treatment to form chemical bonding with resins on the surface of the fiber2–4; (b) roughening the surface of the fiber to enlarge the physical interface with the resin matrix, and thus effects the mechanical anchoring5–8; (c) chemical activation of the fiber surface 9–12…”

“…In the literature, there are three approaches of surface-modification for Kevlar fiber: (a) coating with coupling agents or physical and chemical treatment to form chemical bonding with resins on the surface of the fiber [2][3][4] ; (b) roughening the surface of the fiber to enlarge the physical interface with the resin matrix, and thus effects the mechanical anchoring [5][6][7][8] ; (c) chemical activation of the fiber surface. [9][10][11][12] However, extensive research 1,[13][14][15] had shown that though these surface modification could to some extent increase the adhesion strength between Kevlar and a particular resin matrix, the surface and even the interior structure of Kevlar fiber would be inevitably damaged in various ways during the treatment, such as fibril splitting or breaking of macromolecular chain, leading to a decline in mechanical performance. Therefore, it is of great significance to find a way that can improve both the surface activity and mechanical properties of Kevlar fiber.…”