Simultaneous enhancement of mechanical and electrical/thermal properties of carbon fiber/polymer composites via SiC nanowires/graphene hybrid nanofillers

Carbon fiber (CF)/epoxy composites with hybrid nanofillers were prepared by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of silicon carbide nanowires (SiCnws) on CFs, followed by in-situ grafting of graphene via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The effects of SiC nanowires/graphene hybrid nanofillers on interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), flexural property, and through-thickness thermal conductivity of CF/epoxy composites were investigated. Due to the incorporation of SiCnws and graphene, the interfacial adhesion and the mechanical interlocking between CF and epoxy were improved significantly, resulting in an increase in ILSS and flexural strength. Moreover, the through-thickness electrical and thermal conductivity increased further with the increasing deposition time of graphene. It can be attributed to the hierarchical thermal conductive chains and networks that were formed by SiCnws deposited on the CF surface and the synergy between SiCnws and graphene. This strategy provides potential new ideas for the thermal management application of epoxy and its composites.