Improved interfacial properties of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites with Fe2O3/graphene nanosheets using a magnetic field

The performance of carbon fiber-reinforced composites largely depends on the properties of the fiber-matrix interface. Here, to improve the interfacial strength properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites, we doped different concentrations of Fe2O3/graphene nanosheets onto the interfacial region of the carbon fiber composites by nano-coating technology. With the aid of the magnetic field, the arrangement of nanosheets could be controlled in the interface. The nanosheets can be arranged on the carbon fiber surface parallel or perpendicularly with different concentrations. The tensile strength and interfacialshearstrength of the modified fiber microcomposites had increased by 22.1 and 44.4% respectively with 1.0mg/mL Fe2O3/graphene nanosheets. The results indicated that the Fe2O3/graphene nanosheets have an important influence on the carbon fibers and carbon fibers composites.