Investigating the Potential of Ghee Precursor-Derived Carbon Nano Onions for Enhancing Interfacial Bonding in Thermoplastic Composites.

In this study, we employed a straightforward flame synthesis process to produce carbon soot containing carbon nano onions (CNOs) using easily accessible ghee oil as a precursor. The ghee oil, with a molecular composition rich in more than 50 carbon atoms, served as an effective source for generating CNOs. The synthesized CNO particles underwent comprehensive characterization through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, providing a detailed account of their physicochemical properties. In addition, we explored the direct deposition of CNOs on carbon fiber (CF) surfaces for 5 and 10 min via a soot deposition process. The resulting freeze-fracture images obtained from scanning electron microscope (SEM) offered insights into the morphology of the CNO-deposited CF. Our study aims to shed light on the potential applications of CNOs, focusing on their characterization and the possible benefits they may offer in diverse fields, including but not limited to enhancing interfacial bonding in thermoplastic composites.

Interfacial Engineering Methods in Thermoplastic Composites: An Overview.

The paper critically analyzed different interfacial enhancing methods used in thermoplastic composites. Although the absence of cross-linked polymer chains and chemical bonds on solidification enables the thermoplastics to be remelted, it creates weak interfacial adhesion between fibre reinforcements and the thermoplastic matrix. The weak fibre-matrix interface bonding reduces the efficiency with which the applied load can be transferred between these composite constituents, causing the composite to fail prematurely. Their need for high-temperature processing, poor compatibility with other polymer matrices, and relatively high viscosity render thermoplastics challenging when used to manufacture composite laminates. Therefore, various methods, including nanoparticles, changing the polarity of the fibre surface by plasma etching, chemical treatment with ozone, or an oxidative attack at the fibre surface, have been applied to improve the fibre/matrix bonding in thermoplastic composites. The fabrication steps followed in these techniques, their progress in research, and the associated toughening mechanisms are comprehensively discussed in this paper. The effect of different fibre-matrix interfacial enhancement methods on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic composites is also deliberated.