Aging behavior of PBO fibers and PBO‐fiber‐reinforced PPESK composite after oxygen plasma treatment

Aging behavior of poly(p‐phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers and PBO‐fiber‐reinforced poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (PPESK) composites after oxygen plasma treatment was investigated. Surface chemical composition, surface roughness and surface morphologies of oxygen‐plasma‐treated PBO fibers before and after aging in air for 1, 3, 5 and 10 days were analyzed by XPS and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effects of aging on the material were examined by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and water absorption measurements. The results indicate that the major aging behavior of the fibers and the composite appeared in the first few days after oxygen plasma treatment, whereas minor aging effects were observed with prolonged aging. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improvement of interfacial adhesion for plasma‐treated aramid fiber‐reinforced poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) composite and fiber surface aging effects

Interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix in a composite is a primary factor for stress transfer from the matrix to the fiber. In this study, oxygen plasma treatment method was applied to modify the fiber surface for improving interfacial adhesion of aramid fiber‐reinforced poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (PPESK) composite. Composite interfacial adhesion properties were determined by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) using a short‐beam bending test. The composite interfacial adhesion mechanism was discussed by SEM. The changes of chemical composition and wettability for plasma‐treated fiber surfaces stored in air as long as 10 days were investigated by XPS and dynamic contact angle analysis (DCAA), respectively. Results indicated that oxygen plasma treatment was an effective method for improving interfacial adhesion; plasma‐treated fiber surface suffered aging effects during storage in air. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of carbon fiber surface treatments on the flexural strength and tribological properties of short carbon fiber/polyimide composites

Pitch‐based short carbon fibers (CFs) were treated by air oxidation and cryogenic nitrogen, respectively. Thereafter the treated and untreated CFs were incorporated into polyimide (PI) matrix to form composites. The CFs before and after treatment were examined by XPS and SEM.The flexural strength of the specimen was determined in a three‐point test machine and the tribological properties of PI composites sliding against GCr15 steel rings were evaluated on an M‐2000 model ring‐on‐block test rig. The results show that the surface of the treated CFs became rougher. Lots of active groups formed on the CF surface after air oxidation.The treatment can effectively improve the mechanical and tribological properties in their PI composites due to the enhanced fiber‐matrix interfacial bonding. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improvement of surface wettability and interfacial adhesion ability of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber by incorporation of 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (DHTA)

By introducing 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (DHTA) into poly(p-phenylene benzoxazole) (PBO) macromolecular chains, dihydroxy poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (DHPBO) was synthesized and then DHPBO fibers were prepared by dry-jet wet-spinning method. Effects of hydroxyl polar groups on surface wettability and interfacial adhesion ability of PBO fiber were investigated. With the incorporation of double hydroxyl polar groups, contact angle on PBO fiber for water can decrease from 71.4° to 50.70°, and contact angle for ethanol can decrease from 37.2° to 27.40°. The wetting time on DHPBO fibers for water can be as short as 650 ms, which is half of that of PBO fibers. The interfacial shearing strength (IFSS) between DHPBO (10% mol content DHTA) fibers and epoxy resin is 18.87 MPa, 92.55% higher than that of PBO fibers. SEM images indicate that the PBO/epoxy composite failure mode may change from fiber/matrix adhesive failure to partially cohesive failure.     

Interface characteristic of aramid fiber reinforced poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) composite

Interface is an important microstructure for advanced polymer‐matrix composite. The composite interface is the bridge and the link for stress transferring between the fiber and the matrix resin. In this work, oxygen plasma treatment was used for modification of aramid fiber surface. The effects of plasma treatment power on interlaminar shear strength of composite were evaluated by short‐beam shear test. The morphologies of both the aramid fiber surface and its composite interface fracture were observed by SEM. The chemical structure and surface chemical composition of the plasma‐treated and separated fibers were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and XPS, respectively. The results showed that the interlaminar shear strength of composite was enhanced by 33% with plasma treatment power of 200 W. The FTIR and XPS results indicated that the active functional groups were introduced onto the aramid fiber surface by plasma treatment forming chemical bonds with the poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) resin. The SEM results proved that the aramid fiber surface was roughened by plasma treatment enhancing the mechanical bond with the poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) resin. The composite rupture occurred from the composite interface to the fiber or the matrix resin. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and properties of polyimide/chopped carbon fiber composite foams

In this study, a series of reinforced polyimide (PI)/carbon fiber (CF) composite foams were fabricated through thermal foaming of polyester ammonium salt (PEAS) precursor powders. The PEAS precursor powders containing different contents of chopped CF were synthesized from benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA). The effects of different CF loadings on foaming behavior of PEAS/CF composite precursor powders, final cellular morphology, and physical properties of PI composite foams were investigated. The results revealed that the chopped CF acted as nucleation agent in the foaming process. The dispersion of CF can be evaluated using digital microscope. It is interesting to find that the chopped CF were highly oriented along the direction of cell arrises. As a result, the mechanical properties of PI foams were significantly enhanced owing to the incorporation of chopped CF. Furthermore, the thermal stability of PI composite foams were also slightly improved owing to fine dispersion of CF. In addition, the PI/CF composite foam shows uniform cell size distribution and the best comprehensive physical properties as chopped CF loading at around 6 wt%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The tensile properties of HNO3‐treated carbon fiber reinforced ABS/PA6 composites

In this study, acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) terpolymer was reinforced with HNO₃‐treated short carbon fibers (SCFs) [(hollow carbon fibers (HCFs)]. The effects of HCF concentration on the tensile properties of the composites were examined. Increasing the HCF concentration in the ABS matrix from 10 to 30 wt% resulted in improved tensile strength and tensile modulus. To obtain a strong interaction at the interface, polyamide 6 (PA6) at varying concentrations was introduced into the ABS/10 wt% SCF composite. The incorporation and increasing amount of PA6 in the composites increased tensile properties of the ABS/PA6/HCF systems due to the improved adhesion at the interface, which was confirmed by the ratio of tensile strength as an adhesion parameter. These results were also supported by scanning electron micrographs of the ABS/PA6/HCF composites, which exhibited an improved adhesion between the SCFs and the ABS/PA6 matrix. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of surface properties on the interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber/epoxy composites

A polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fiber was electrochemically oxidized in an aqueous ammonium bicarbonate solution with current density of up to 2.76 A/m² at room temperature. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the oxygen content increased with increasing current density before approaching saturation. The increase can be divided into two regions, the rapid increase region (0–1.78 A/m²) and a plateau region (1.78–2.76 A/m²). The surface chemistry analysis showed that the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) value of the carbon fiber/epoxy composite could be improved by 24.7%. The carbon structure was examined using Raman spectroscopy in terms of order/disorder in the graphite structure and the results indicated that the relative percentage of graphite carbon in the form of sp² hybridization increased above a current density of 1.39 A/m². The increasing non‐polar graphite carbon on the carbon fiber surface decreased the surface energy. As a result, both the surface free energy () and its polar component () decreased when current density increased above 1.78 A/m². The ILSS value had no direct relationship with the nature and surface density of the oxygen‐containing functional groups nor with the carbon structure. It is the surface free energy (), especially the polar component (), which played a critical role in affecting the interfacial adhesion of carbon fiber/epoxy composites. The ILSS value changed with increasing current density and could be divided into three distinct regions, as chemical interaction region (I), anchor force region (II) and matrix damage region (III). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved interfacial properties of carbon fiber/UHMWPE composites through surface coating on carbon fiber surface

Carbon fibers were coated in an attempt to improve the interfacial properties between carbon fibers and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene resin matrix. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to characterize the changes of carbon fiber surface. Atomic force microscopy results show that the coating of carbon fiber significantly increased the carbon fiber surface roughness. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that silicon containing functional groups obviously increased after modification. Interlaminar shear strength was used to characterize the interfacial properties of the composites.     

Impact of surface adaptation and Acacia nilotica biofiller on static and dynamic properties of sisal fiber composite

Nowadays, the awareness of the public along with strict legitimate forces over the use of polymers, the manufacturing and automotive industries started using the renewable materials. Since, natural fiber reinforced composites play vital role in developing lightweight structural materials, this study focuses on utilizing sisal fiber as reinforcement in polyester matrix along with natural filler. The influence of fiber length and fiber volume fraction on the mechanical properties of sisal fiber was studied initially. Test results revealed that the composite with 20?mm fiber length and 20-volume fraction composite has better mechanical properties. Furthermore, the effect of fiber surface modification has been analyzed using various chemical solutions such as NaOH, KMnO₄, stearic acid, and maleic acid. Of these, NaOH treatment enhances the mechanical properties of composite compared to all other cases. Finally, the influence of Acacia nilotica, a natural filler addition into the alkali-treated sisal fiber composite has been evaluated by mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. It is found that the addition of natural filler and surface treatment has enhanced the properties of composites due to their synergetic effect. This effect improves the adhesion and uniform stress transfer among the reinforcements. The fiber surface morphology was evaluated using micrographs obtained from scanning electron microscope.     

Mechanical properties of surface treated UHMWPE fiber and SiO2 filled PMMA composites

The hybrid reinforcement effect of surface‐treated UHMWPE fiber and SiO₂ on the mechanical properties of PMMA matrix composites was investigated. When UHMWPE fiber is introduced, the tensile strength of UHMWPE fiber‐reinforced composites sharply increases. The flexural modulus was enhanced with an increase in filler loading. Flexural modulus of the treated UHMWPE/SiO₂/PMMA composites was higher than that of the UHMWPE/PMMA and UHMWPE/SiO₂/PMMA composites. The outcome of the better interfacial bonding between the filler and the matrix is reflected in the improvement of the mechanical properties of the treated UHMWPE/SiO₂/PMMA composites. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anomalous spreading behaviour of polyethyleneglycoldistearate monolayers at air/water interface

Spreading behaviour of the dimeric surfactant polyethylene-glycoldistearate (PEGDS) monolayer at air/water interface has been studied using surface pressure-area (π-A) isotherms as a function of temperature. The isotherms show a plateau suggesting a transition between a liquid expanded (LE) and a condensed state. The condensed state possibly arises due to nucleation and growth of multilayers from the monolayer. Isobaric measurements of bothA-T and π-T at constant area show transitions atT = 295 K. These plots suggest a melting followed by formation of condensed microcrystallites. Structure optimization carried out using various angles of orientation of the alkyl tails with respect to the backbone in PEGDS reveals tilt transitions of the tails in different states which can be related to the packing behaviour seen in the isotherms. Optical microscopy has been used to confirm the structures in these states.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4/CuO/ZnO/RGO and its catalytic degradation of dye wastewater using dielectric barrier discharge plasma

The design of an efficient and green dye degradation technology is of great significance to mitigate water pollution as well as ecological damage. Fe₃O₄/CuO/ZnO/RGO was prepared by solvothermal synthesis and homogeneous precipitation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM) were used to characterize the samples, to explore the morphology and structural composition of the composites. To enhance the degradation efficiency, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)–Fe₃O₄/CuO/ZnO/RGO co-catalytic system was created based on the DBD plasma technology. Response surface methodology analysis results demonstrate that the degradation effect of DBD–Fe₃O₄/CuO/ZnO/RGO is optimal and the decolorization rate is 95.06 % when the solution pH is 3, conductivity is 0.5 mS/cm, the input voltage is 90 V, and Fe₃O₄/CuO/ZnO/RGO concentration is 0.18 g/L. Therefore, this study offers a novel method for dye degradation and confirms the viability of a DBD–Fe₃O₄/CuO/ZnO/RGO synergistic catalytic system.     

Fe/MCSAC catalysts surface modified with nitrogen DBD non‐thermal plasma for carbonyl sulfide catalytic hydrolysis activity enhancement

The removal of carbonyl sulfide (COS or S=C=O) from gas streams over Fe/microwave coconut‐shell activated carbon (MCSAC) catalysts modified by dielectric barrier discharge non‐thermal plasma (NTP) were investigated. The properties of Fe/MCSAC catalysts modified by NTP in different conditions, included kinds of reactors, treatment times and input voltages. The surface properties were evaluated by means of energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, Brunauer Emmett Teller, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy methods and theoretical calculation, which could help us understand the effects of the plasma treatment. The experiments results showed that the COS hydrolysis activities of Fe/MCSAC catalysts were largely enhanced after NTP modification. And the optimal reactor type, treatment time and input voltage were plate‐plate type, 10 min and 35 V, respectively. The catalytic activity enhanced effectually due to the improvement of active component's dispersion after NTP modification. In addition, the extended oxygen functional groups on NTP‐modified catalyst's surface could contribute to a higher activity for COS catalytic hydrolysis at low temperature. The investigation results indicate that non‐thermal plasma treatment is an effective way to manipulate catalyst surface properties for COS catalytic hydrolysis reaction. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improving hydrophobicity and compatibility between kenaf fiber and polymer composite by surface treatment with inorganic nanoparticles

Compatibility of natural fiber with hydrophobic matrix is a herculean task in literature works. Surface treatment is a well-known approach for increasing the strength of interfacial adhesion between fibres and polymer matrices. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of surface treatment with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in improving hydrophobicity of kenaf fiber (KF) to enhance the compatibility between KF and polymer matrix. In this study, KF reinforced unsaturated polyester composites (KF/UPE) were fabricated by the hand lay-up method with varying fiber loadings (wt %) of 10 20, 30, and 40. KF were treated with five different contents of ZnONPs (1% to 5 wt%) to make UPE/KF-ZnONPs composites. The composites were studied in terms of wetting response (contact angle measure and water absorption), mechanical properties, chemical structure (FTIR), crystalline structure (XRD), and surface morphology (SEM, AFM). The investigational findings indicate that the composite samples incorporating ZnONPs exhibit optimum hydrophobicity and mechanical properties, as they possessed a higher contact angle than the untreated KF composite. The optimum content of ZnONPs was found to be 2 wt%. Regarding water absorption, the untreated UPE/KF composites absorbed more water than the treated UPE/KF-ZnONPs composites. SEM images showed changes in the morphology of the KF, while FTIR analysis proved the presence of ZnONPs functional groups in the UPE/KF composites. AFM images revealed that the ZnONPs could actively produce nanolevel roughness, advantageous to the hydrophobic characteristics.     

Effect of cold atmospheric plasma treatment on hydrophilic properties of fluorosilicone rubber

Vulcanized fluorosilicone rubber for aviation was treated by argon and oxygen cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) in order to modify its hydrophilic properties. The sample's chemical composition was analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The static contact angle, surface free energy, and adhesion strength were used to indicate the hydrophilic properties. Additionally, the surface morphologies of the specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results showed that the contact angle declined from 101.5° to 22°, and the surface energy rose from 21.3 to 71.2 mJ/m² after they were treated by argon plasma. Alternatively, the water contact angle decreased to 25.5°, and the surface energy increased to 70.6 mJ/m² after they were treated by oxygen plasma. In addition, the SEM and AFM images of the samples illustrate that the treated surface of fluorosilicone rubber becomes rougher than the non‐treated surface. The concentrations of carbon (C) and fluorine (F) elements of the material' surface decreased and the contents of O element greatly enriched after plasma treatment. Additionally, chemical group C―O and C―OH appeared after the treatment. However, the hydrophilic effect of the plasma treatment is aged after the specimens were stored for 8–12 h. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergistic modification by mercapto hyperbranched polysiloxane and functionalized graphene oxide on the surface of aramid fiber

With the purpose of improving the interfacial properties of aramid fibers reinforced rubber composites and enhancing the tensile strength of aramid fibers simultaneously, mercapto hyperbranched polysiloxane (HPSi) and functionalized graphene oxide (GO) were used to modify the surface of aramid fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and other characterization methods were performed to confirm the process of synergistic modification. Judging from the results of mechanical property tests, it could be acquired that the tensile strength of modified aramid fiber was increased by 16.8%, which could be ascribed to the wrapping effect of GO sheets. The interfacial properties were assessed by the pull-out tests of composites, and the results showed that the maximum pull-out force after synergistic surface modification was increased by 99.3%, which could be mainly related to additive reaction between double bonds and mercapto groups and the promotion of surface energy. More critically, during pull-out test, aramid fiber bundles might bring a part of shear stress into the grafted GO sheets, namely, GO sheets could convert fracture energy into interfacial energy, which would improve interfacial properties dramatically.     

Surface mixed adsorption films of 2,4,6- trimethylphenol–2,4,6-trichlorophenol at aqueous solution/air interface

 The results of experimental studies of the adsorption at the solution/air interface from an aqueous mixture: 2,4,6-trimethylphenol–2,4,6-trichlorophenol are presented. The surface properties of the above-mentioned mixture were studied by surface potential and surface tension measurements. These measurements were carried out as a function of the concentration of 2,4,6-trimethylphenol aqueous solution at a constant concentration of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Using the results obtained and based on the Gibbs equation, Helmholtz formula and Motomura’s method the relative surface excesses of adsorbed substances, effective dipole moments, surface molar fractions of solutes and miscibility of adsorbed films were determined. Received: 7 November 1997 Accepted: 26 February 1998     

Effects on surface properties of natural bamboo fibers treated with atmospheric pressure argon plasma

Argon plasma at atmospheric pressure was used to improve the wettability and dyeability of natural bamboo fibers. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was employed to characterize the discharge. SEM and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) analyses show that the fiber surface becomes rougher after plasma treatment because of the effects of plasma bombardment and etching. The wettability and dyeability are significantly enhanced after plasma treatment. Longer treatment time, leading to rougher surface, results in better surface wettability and dyeability. These results reveal that atmospheric pressure argon plasma treatment is an effective method to improve the performance of bamboo fibers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of Acacia leucophloea fiber/epoxy composites: Influence of fiber loading and alkali treatment

In this work, the influence of fiber content and alkali treatment on the mechanical and thermal properties of Acacia leucophloea fiber-reinforced epoxy composites was studied. Ten composite samples were fabricated by varying fiber content (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%); both untreated and treated fiber were soaked in a 5% NaOH solution for 45 min by using hand-layup method. The composite reinforced with 20 wt% treated fiber content exhibited better mechanical properties and thermal properties. Fourier transform infrared analysis, morphological analysis by atomic force microscope, and scanning electron microscope of composites were also performed.