Effect of natural Indocalamus leaf addition on the mechanical properties of epoxy and epoxy-carbon fiber composites

In this study, micro/nanofibers (IMFs) were extracted from natural leaves by physical processing and alkaline treatment. IMFs reinforced epoxy resin (EP) and their carbon-fiber composites (IMFs/CFRP) were fabricated. The effects of IMF on the mechanical properties of the EP and CFRP composites were studied. Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the functional groups and microstructure of IMF, EP, and CFRP. The experimental results showed that the strength of the EP increased as the IMF content increased from 0% to 20%, but on further increase in IMF content of 25%, the strength of the EP reduced. In addition, the mechanical properties of the IMF/CFRP were slightly higher as compared with the control CFRP. The SEM observations on IMFs/EP and IMFs/CFRP composites reveal that the alkali-treated IMFs facilitate the interfacial interlocking structure and improve the interfacial adhesion of the composites.