Enhancing interfacial properties in carbon fiber polymer composites with graphene oxide: A review

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) demonstrated enormous potential for applications in defense, aerospace, and high-end civilian products, owing to their lightweight, high strength, high modulus, and excellent high-temperature resistance. However, the surface of carbon fiber (CF) was chemically inert and lacks active functional groups, which resulted in poor interfacial bonding with polymer matrix. Consequently, the overall performance of the composites was limited. To address this question, various surface modification techniques have been developed to improve the surface reactivity, roughness, and wettability of CF. These improvement strategies had enhanced the interfacial adhesion between CF and the matrix, thereby improving the mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal properties of CFRPs. In recent years, graphene oxide (GO) has gained attention as a key nanomaterial for improving the interfacial and mechanical performance of CFRPs. This was attributed to its outstanding mechanical properties and abundant surface functional groups, such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. This review systematically summarised the main methods of modifying the surface of CF using GO and elucidated the mechanisms by which these modifications affect interfacial properties. Finally, we outlined the current challenges and future development trends in interface modification technology, aiming to provide theoretical guidance and technical support for the interfacial design and application of high-performance CFRPs.