A high efficient method for introducing reactive amines onto carbon fiber surfaces using hexachlorocyclophosphazene as a new coupling agent

To improve the interfacial properties of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced composites, an innovative and simple functionalized strategy has been proposed by grafting 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) onto carbon fiber surface using hexachlorocyclophosphazene (HCCP) as a novel coupling agent at mild reaction conditions. The chemical composition of the CF surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The surface topography and surface energy of CF were examined by atomic force microscope (AFM) and dynamic contact angle tests (DCA), respectively. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of CF reinforced composites was studied by microbond test. The tensile strength of CF was measured by single filament tensile test. After functionalization treatment, the grafted amine groups on the fiber surface enhanced the surface wettability of modified CF and formed strong chemical bonding between fiber and matrix, improving the interfacial adhesion strength of composites. The interfacial shear strength of modified CF reinforced composites increased by 71.2% compared with that of desized CF. The interfacial enhancement mechanism was also discussed in detail. Moreover, the modified CF almost kept the original mechanical properties after functionalization.