Interface property of carbon fibers/epoxy resin composite improved by hydrogen peroxide in supercritical water

Carbon fibers were treated by hydrogen peroxide in supercritical water and the surface morphologies of treated carbon fibers were observed by atomic force microscopy. It was found that surface roughness of the treated carbon fiber was improved obviously. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze surface functional groups of carbon fibers. It was found that functional groups containing oxygen were significantly increased compared with untreated carbon fibers. The maximal interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of treated carbon fibers/epoxy resin composite was 110.5 MPa, which was higher than 63.5 MPa for untreated carbon fibers/epoxy resin composite. It also indicated that interface property of carbon fibers/epoxy resin composite was improved by hydrogen peroxide in supercritical water.