Fullerene-Rich Resin Interlayers Strengthening Carbon Composites: Effects on Mechanical and Thermal Properties

For the next generation of structural and thermal applications, carbon nanocomposites with tailored interlaminarity phases are crucial. In order to improve the mechanical and thermal properties, this work presents a simple sequential fabrication procedure for multilayer carbon fabric/polymer composites modified with Buckminsterfullerene. In order to facilitate the transfer of load, four layers of carbon mat were created and successively adhered to a fullerene-rich resin that varied from 10 to 50% fullerene. This resin served as a bonding agent and the load-carrying polymer, making the inter-layer nano-reinforced. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and thermal conductivity were all methodically measured for the manufactured composites. Additionally, a micromechanics-based method and finite element analysis were used to evaluate the transverse modulus. Strong interfacial bonding with the carbon fabric was encouraged by the carbon-rich interfacial areas created by the Buckminster fullerene-enriched matrix, which effectively transferred stress throughout the composite. The tensile, flexural, impact, and thermal conductivity properties were all greatly impacted by this improved interfacial adhesion. The tensile and flexural strengths of the fullerene-mixed resin interface increased by 159.13% and 122.04%, respectively, at an optimal filler concentration of 40 wt.% Buckminster fullerene. The effectiveness of fullerene reinforcement in enhancing transverse stiffness was demonstrated by the transverse modulus, which showed a constant increase with fullerene content and reached a maximum enhancement of 157.2% at 50% loading.