Titanium dioxide nanoparticles-coated aramid fiber showing enhanced interfacial strength and UV resistance properties

• TiO2 nanoparticle was grown on the aramid fiber surface via a barely harmful method.
• The morphology of anatase phase TiO2 can be controlled by adding PEG.
• TiO2 interphase supplied a significant improvement in the interfacial shear strength.
• Modified fiber exhibits high retention of mechanical properties after UV irradiation.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NP) were grown on aramid fiber (AF) by a low-temperature hydrothermal method with the aim to enhance the poor interfacial strength and the UV resistance properties of the fiber material. Prior to the growing process, AF was functionalized to increase the fiber-TiO2 NP bonding strength. The structure, interface strength, and UV resistance properties of the resulting TiO2 NP-modified fiber material were investigated. Anatase TiO2 NP were uniformly grown on the fiber surface while controlling the TiO2 particle size upon addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The growth of TiO2 NP increased the interaction area and reduced the stress concentration between the fiber and the matrix material. The experimental testing results revealed a significant improvement (by 40–67%) in the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) upon development of the TiO2 NP interphase while essentially maintaining the basic strength of the fiber material. Unlike other TiO2-coating methodologies such as sol-gel and sizing, the herein developed process, leading to complete anatase TiO2 NP coating, provided the fiber with effective UV-rays protection characteristics while retaining most of the tensile strength (87.1–90.5%) after long UV irradiation exposure (168 h).

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