Simultaneous improvement of interfacial strength and toughness between carbon fiber and epoxy by introducing amino functionalized ZrO2 on fiber surface

Amino-functionalized ZrO2 was prepared and incorporated on carbon fiber surface by a simple dip-coating approach to simultaneously strengthen and toughen the interphase of carbon fiber/epoxy composite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetry confirmed the successful functionalization of ZrO2 by (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES-ZrO2). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force...