Simultaneously increasing the electrical conductivity and fracture toughness of carbon–fiber composites by using silver nanowires-loaded interleaves

A simple method has been developed to simultaneously increase the electrical conductivity and the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber reinforced composite laminates. The key component of this function integration is a nylon veil surface-loaded with silver nanowires. By interleaving the electrical function-integrated veils into the laminate, the GIC and GIIC is improved 118% and 227%, and the conductivity perpendicular to the fiber direction and through-thickness direction is enhanced over 100 and 10 times, respectively.