Preparation and Application of a Multifunctional Interfacial Modifier for Ramie Fiber/Epoxy Resin Composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Developing advanced composites requires modifiers that simultaneously enhance mechanical and thermal properties.
• Nature-inspired chemistry offers innovative solutions for material design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a multi-functional interfacial modifier (FPD) for ramie fiber/epoxy composites.
• To investigate the effects of FPD on the mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and interfacial adhesion of the composites.

Main Methods:

• One-step synthesis of FPD incorporating catechol, N-H bond, and DOPO functional groups.
• Characterization of FPD's interfacial roles using water contact angle (WCA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Evaluation of mechanical properties (tensile, flexural) and flame retardancy (UL-94, LOI) of modified composites.

Main Results:

• FPD effectively adhered to ramie fibers and cured with epoxy resin, improving interfacial compatibility.
• Composites with 30 wt.% FPD showed significant improvements: 37.1% tensile strength, 60.9% tensile modulus, 8.9% flexural strength, and 19.3% flexural modulus.
• The modified composites achieved a V-0 rating in UL-94 tests and an LOI value of 34.6%.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized FPD acts as an effective multi-functional modifier for ramie fiber/epoxy composites.
• FPD significantly enhances both mechanical performance and flame retardancy.
• This study presents an efficient approach for fabricating high-performance natural fiber composites.