CNC in carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites (CFRPCs)

Previous notes on fibre reinforced polymer composites have focused on applications with glass fibres. A recent publication, however, shows that CNC can also enhance composites that use carbon fibres. Nanomaterial enhancement of carbon fibres has usually focused on the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) but these need to be oxidised to make then compatible with the resin system which in turn can destroy their efficacy. CNCs naturally have hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces which make them ideal for achieving interface adhesion in amphiphilic systems. Shadi Shariatnia et al from Texas A&M have shown that 1% CNC alone enhances the flexural strength of CFRPCs by 12%.  This strength can be increased further to 33% by using a combination of 0.2% CNC and 0.2% unoxidized CNTs; similar increases in interlaminar shear strength are also achieved. It appears that CNCs can help in delivering the full potential of nanomaterials in composite structures.

For more information, please consult the full article (ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 2020, 3, 5421?5436).