Enhancing Delamination Resistance in CFRP Composites through surface Functionalization of Woven carbon Fiber by CuO Nanostructures

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Special Issue 05 | Page : 589 602
    By

    Ravi Shankar Rai,

  • Vikas Kumar,

  • Rajeev Kumar,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Automation and Robotics, JSPM’s Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Automation and Robotics, Sandip Institute of Technology and Research Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology and Research Centre, Nashik, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

In order to produce a nanostructured interphase that improves the interfacial interaction with an epoxy resin matrix, copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures were hydrothermally formed onto woven carbon fibers (WCF). Hexagonal CuO nanorods were created using a two-step, seed-assisted solvothermal technique on plain woven carbon fiber. This study investigates the effects of surface modification of carbon fibers by the formation of CuO nanostructures using a hydrothermal technique on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites. To make hybrid composites, carbon fiber fabric that had been CuO-treated was used as reinforcement in a bisphenol-A epoxy resin matrix. In a regulated reaction mixture, the CuO nanostructures were created on the carbon fibers by first seeding them and then growing them. At a fixed growth temperature of 90 °C and a 4-hour hydrothermal period, various CuO nanostructure forms, such as nanowires, hexagonal rods, and nanoflower morphologies, were produced by adjusting the molar concentrations in the solution. The resulting morphologies were characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The final nanostructure development was significantly influenced by the timing of the seeding and growing phases. After that, the CuO-coated woven carbon fiber was vacuum-bagged and added to a laminated composite with an epoxy resin matrix. CuO-treated WCF was vacuum-bagged into a matrix composed of a bisphenol-A epoxy resin and dimethyl aniline hardener combination to create laminated hybrid composites. By reducing the void content, this procedure raised the volume fraction of CuO nanostructure, which improved the mechanical characteristics. Drop-down impact testing and a universal testing machine were used to assess the tensile and impact strengths of the epoxy composite samples reinforced with CuO-coated WCF. The results demonstrate significant gains for the CuO-coated WCF reinforced composites in impact energy absorption (increased by 74.8%), elastic modulus (52% increase), tensile strength (42% increase), and in-plane shear strength (32% increase). This study shows that by increasing the interfacial surface area between the fiber and matrix, CuO nanostructures can significantly prevent delamination and improve composite performance, boosting the materials’ potential uses in structural contexts. Because of their excellent mechanical qualities at a very cheap cost and little experimental setup, the produced hybrid composites samples are a good substitute for standard carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites for a variety of applications

Keywords: CFRP, Nanostructures Delamination, Hydrothermal Technique, CuO, Composites.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer and Composites (jopc)]

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How to cite this article:
Ravi Shankar Rai, Vikas Kumar, Rajeev Kumar. Enhancing Delamination Resistance in CFRP Composites through surface Functionalization of Woven carbon Fiber by CuO Nanostructures. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(05):589-602.
How to cite this URL:
Ravi Shankar Rai, Vikas Kumar, Rajeev Kumar. Enhancing Delamination Resistance in CFRP Composites through surface Functionalization of Woven carbon Fiber by CuO Nanostructures. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(05):589-602. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=217392


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Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Special Issue 05
Received 16/01/2025
Accepted 04/02/2025
Published 22/07/2025
Publication Time 187 Days
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