Synchronously optimizing interfacial and electromagnetic interference shielding performance of CF/PEEK composites via an in-situ polymerization strategy with polyaniline modified MXene

The relatively weak interfacial adhesion existed between poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and carbon fiber (CF) and is a constantly problem that restricts the mechanical performance and structural- functional integrated design of CF/PEEK composites. To meet with the interface stable and multifunctional demands of high-performance CF/PEEK composites, an organic- inorganic combination strategy was proposed to synchronous optimize the interfacial adhesion and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance of CF/PEEK composites. Herein, conductive polyaniline (PANI) was in-situ polymerized onto MXene, along with carbon nanotubes to prepare a mixture sizing agent to coat CF surface. The synergistic enhancement effects of interfacial interactions, mechanical interlocking, and wettability contributed to the elevated interfacial and mechanical properties of CF/PEEK composites. Besides, evenly coated sizing layers enhance the conduction loss, interfacial polarization loss and dipole polarization loss at interface, which led to a remarkable improvement in EMI shielding performance of CF/PEEK composites. In brief, this facile and feasible route to obtain PANI@MXene/CNTs sizing agents displays a considerable potential in fabricating CF/PEEK composites possessed the structural- functional integrated performance.