A chemically modified MWCNT/PEEK multiscale thermoplastic composites: Forming, mechanical performance, and application

Abstract Carbon nanotubes can be used to enhance interlaminar mechanical performance of polymer composites due to its physicochemical properties. In this article, a novel method for preparing multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/polyether ether ketone (MWCNT/PEEK) thermoplastic composite film is proposed. The microstructure and interfacial bonding performance of chemically modified and unmodified composites films are analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation and experiment. The composite films are used in CF/PEEK laminates. The results show that MWCNT significantly improve the crystallinity of PEEK resin. Compared with the MWCNT/PEEK composites without chemical modification, the MWCNT‐COOH/PEEK‐OH composite film has a denser structure, and the tensile strength and elastic modulus are increased by 94.5% and 15%, respectively. Furthermore, the interlaminar shear strength of the CF/PEEK laminates doped with MWCNT/PEEK and MWCNT‐COOH/PEEK‐OH composite films increased by 8.3% and 12.7%, respectively. Highlights The interfacial bonding performance between MWCNT and PEEK is obtained by molecular dynamics simulation. A novel method for preparing BP/PEEK composite film is proposed. MWCNT/PEEK composite films can effectively enhance the interlaminar performance of CF/PEEK high performance thermoplastic composites.