Improved bonding between PAN-based carbon fibers and fullerene-modified epoxy matrix

The interfacial bonding of carbon fiber and epoxy matrix modified by fullerene nanoparticles has been investigated using both transverse fiber bundle tension test and transverse tension test of unidirectional composites. It has been found that the incorporation of fullerene nanoparticles in a proper content, such as 2 wt%, led to a substantial increase in fiber/matrix bond strength. The improvement of interfacial bonding is ascribed to the toughening effect of epoxy matrix endowed by fullerene nanoparticles, which may contribute to suppress the fracture of interface layer around fibers by the mechanism of energy dissipation.