Interfacial Engineering of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites Through β‐Cyclodextrin and Polydopamine for Enhanced Adhesion and Mechanical Performance

ABSTRACT Carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have shown wide application potential in various fields due to their great rigidity, high strength, outstanding mechanical qualities, and lightweight characteristics. However, the flat surface and intrinsic chemical inertness of carbon fibers (CFs) make their interface adhesion weak, which hinders the full potential of CF‐based composites. Conventional modification techniques, however, frequently reveal the drawbacks of utilizing a great deal of chemical reagents and damaging the structural integrity of CFs. Therefore, in order to solve this problem and further enhance the mechanical performance of CFRPs, we proposed a strategy of introducing green and efficient β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and polydopamine (PDA) onto the surface of CFs through impregnation. Compared with the unsized CF composites, the interfacial shear strength and interlayer shear strength of the CF‐PDA‐β‐CD composites were increased by 122.7% and 39.2%, respectively. The interface structure and strengthening mechanism were further analyzed and discussed. By introducing β‐CD and PDA to optimize the interface properties of CFRP composites, this study offered a fresh strategy and theoretical justification for the development and manufacture of advanced CFRPs with superior properties.