Effects of Graphene Oxide Modified Sizing Agents on Interfacial Properties of Carbon Fibers/Epoxy Composites

A kind of graphene oxide (GO) modified sizing agent was used to improve the interfacial properties of carbon fibers/epoxy composites. The surface topography of carbon fibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface compositions of carbon fibers were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the interfacial properties of composites were studied by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). The results show that the existence of GO increases the content of reactive functional groups on carbon fiber surface. Thus it enhances the interfacial properties of carbon fibers/epoxy composites. When GO loading in sizing agents is 1 wt%, the ILSS value of composite reaches to 96.2 MPa, which is increased by 27.2% while comparing with unsized carbon fiber composites. Furthermore, the ILSS of composites after aging is also increased significantly with GO modified sizing agents.