A simple
and efficient strategy for enhancing the interfacial
interaction
in carbon fiber-reinforced poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) (CF/PASS)
composites by grafting polymeric chains via thiol-ene click chemistry
is reported here. Simultaneously, three thiol compounds and carbon
nanotubes were grafted on CFs to explore the reaction between the
CF and thiol groups. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy,
and normalized temperature-dependent IR spectroscopy results confirm
the successful grafting of three thiol compounds, carbon nanotubes,
and polymer chains. Similarly, obvious changes on the CF surface can
be seen before and after modification via scanning electron microscopy,
such as grafted nanotubes and polymeric resin, and the increase in
the modulus gradient and interfacial thickness of CF/PASS can be clearly
seen via atomic force microscopy. All the results of micro and macro
tests on mechanical properties indicate that connecting low molecular
weight thiol-terminated PASS (HS-LPASS) onto CFs enhances the interfacial
property and mechanical performance of CF/PASS to a greater extent.
The interfacial shear strength, interlaminar shear strength, and tensile
strength of CF@HS-LPASS-reinforced PASS (CF@HS-LPASS/PASS) increase
significantly by 38.5, 43.6, and 24.4%, respectively. All the results
demonstrate that thiol-ene click reactions can be used for CF modification;
furthermore, in the presence of external stress, the grafted polymeric
interphase can act as a “bridge layer” to improve the
stress transfer efficiency.