In this study, a straightforward in-situ surface modification procedure was used to enhance the interfacial adhesion of carbon fibre (CF)-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). To do this, 4-nitroaniline and 4-aminophenol were grafted to the surface of carbon fibres. The goal was to capitalise on the hydrogen bonding capability of the grafted molecules with the exposed sulphur groups present in the polymer backbone of PPS. This modification has resulted in a notable enhancement in both the tensile and flexural strength of the PPS/CF composite, with an increase of 12.3% and 19.3%, respectively. Moreover, tensile, and flexural modulus has been increased by 15% and 16%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations confirm that the treated CF contributes to the facilitation of a more homogeneous stress distribution throughout the matrix. This serves to alleviate stress concentrations that may arise at certain spots, reducing the probability of premature failure or crack formation. Counterintuitively, the amino grafted fibres outperformed the phenolic enriched fibres, despite the amine having a lower potential for hydrogen bonding. We propose that the sulphur atom within the PPS polymer presents an opportunity for hydrogen bonding but also a currently underutilised interaction, σ*-bonding, that could be capitalised on to enhance thermoplastic composite performance. Furthermore, the achievement of effectively preparing a modified CF surface offers valuable insights into the development of high-performance thermoplastic composites using easily accessible materials via a straightforward method.

在这项研究中，采用简单的原位表面改性程序来增强碳纤维（CF）增强聚苯硫醚（PPS）的界面粘附力。为此，将 4-硝基苯胺和 4-氨基苯酚接枝到碳纤维的表面。目标是利用接枝分子与 PPS 聚合物主链中暴露的硫基团的氢键结合能力。这种改性使 PPS/CF 复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度显着增强，分别提高了 12.3% 和 19.3%。此外，拉伸模量和弯曲模量分别增加了 15% 和 16%。扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 检查证实，经过处理的 CF 有助于促进整个基体中应力分布更加均匀。这有助于减轻某些部位可能出现的应力集中，从而降低过早失效或裂纹形成的可能性。与直觉相反的是，尽管胺的氢键结合潜力较低，但氨基接枝纤维的性能优于富含酚醛的纤维。我们认为，PPS 聚合物中的硫原子提供了氢键结合的机会，但也提供了目前未充分利用的相互作用，即 σ* 键，可以利用它来增强热塑性复合材料的性能。此外，有效制备改性CF表面的成就为使用易于获得的材料通过简单的方法开发高性能热塑性复合材料提供了宝贵的见解。