Research

Material Sciences

Title :

Electrophoretically deposited graphene oxide/carbon nanotube construct mediated interfacial engineering in carbon fibre epoxy composites

Area of research :

Material Sciences

Focus area :

Carbon Composites

Principal Investigator :

Prof. Subodh Kumar, Indian Institute Of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka

Timeline Start Year :

2023

Timeline End Year :

2026

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

Carbon fibre reinforced epoxy (CFRE) composites are widely used in the aerospace industry, accounting for up to 80% of overall composite consumption. These materials offer exceptional specific strength, stiffness, and design flexibility. However, their performance depends on fibre properties, matrix properties, and interface. The effectiveness of stress transfer between matrix and fibre depends on adhesion at the interface. To address these issues, fillers have been incorporated into the matrix through solvent-assisted methods and deposited on the fibre surface through chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and chemical grafting techniques. However, due to complexities in fabrication, long processing times, high temperatures, and catalysts, their commercial viability remains uncertain. This study aims to use electrophoretic deposition (EPD) to coat hybrid graphene oxide/carbon nanotube (GO/CNT) nanoparticles synthesized through different covalent and non-covalent functionalization routes on carbon fibre fabric. The rationale behind using hybrid nanoparticles is to exploit the positive synergetic effect of combining 2D-GO and 1D-CNT, resulting in a stronger matrix/fibre interface. The modified epoxy matrix will be infiltrated into the electrophoretically deposited CF fabric by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process, and the effect of modifications will be evaluated through interlaminar shear strength, flexural strength, transverse fibre bundle, and fracture toughness tests.

Co-PI:

Dr. Suryasarathi Bose, Indian Institute Of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka-560012

Total Budget (INR):

20,79,000

Organizations involved