Carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic synthesized by the hypercrosslinking reaction of polyether ether ketone

Abstract Recently, thermoplastic resins were used as matrix to synthesize carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) for recycling it easily. In this study, a CFRTP with excellent mechanical properties and heat resistance was synthesized using a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) as a matrix resin. The PEEK resin was modified to form cross‐linked structures through Friedel–Crafts reaction alkylation. The synthesis temperature of CFRTP was optimized considering the mechanical properties of PEEK, and its heat resistance was enhanced because of the cross‐linked structures. Further, the cross‐linked PEEK resin was partially used as a matrix resin, and the mechanical properties of the CFRTP were enhanced. We plan to develop a method for recycling CFRTP using PEEK and crosslinked PEEK for synthesizing C/C composites by focusing on the high heat resistance of the crosslinked PEEK containing a large amount of carbon and reducing mass loss after heat treatment. Highlights CC bonds were introduced into the polyether ether ketone (PEEK) resin by Friedel–Crafts reaction alkylation. Thermal properties of PEEK were enhanced by hypercrosslinking reaction. Optimization of synthesized temperature was investigated to fabricate carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP). Mechanical properties were enhanced CFRTP modified with hypercrosslinking reaction.