Preparation and performance of ZnO nanowires modified carbon fibers reinforced NiFe2O4 ceramic matrix composite

• Unlike existing chemical modification, the liquid growth remains fiber’s strength.
• ZnO nanowires array are grown on carbon fibers with controllable morphology.
• ZnO nanowires array modified carbon fibers can reinforce the strength of ceramic matrix composite.
• This research will provide a means to produce multifunctional composites.

The surface of carbon fibers was modified by ZnO nanowires using the liquid growth method. NiFe2O4 ceramic matrix composites reinforced by the modified carbon fibers were prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method at 1300 °C for 5 h in N2 atmosphere. The influences of modified carbon fibers on the mechanical performances of NiFe2O4 composites were investigated. The crystal structure of modified carbon fibers and the morphology of modified carbon fibers surface and the NiFe2O4 composites fracture cross-section were observed by meaning of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The results showed that hexagonal wurtzite ZnO nanowires array grew from the surface of carbon fibers vertically, with nanowires diameters ranging from 170 nm to 380 nm and lengths up to 2.8 μm. Unlike existing chemical modification and high temperature oxidation method, the liquid growth allowed morphology control and maintained the single fiber tensile strength substantially unchanged under certain growth procedures. Compared to pure NiFe2O4 ceramic and bare carbon fibers reinforced NiFe2O4 composite, the bending strength of NiFe2O4 composite reinforced with ZnO nanowires surface modified carbon fibers was shown to increase by up to 70% and 45%, respectively. The development of an interphase offering control over the morphology will provide a means to produce multifunctional composites.