Publication · 2026

Improved interfacial compatibility of carbon fibers/PEEK laminated composites via incorporating biphenyl-branched poly(aryl-ether-nitrile)

AuthorsXiaoxi Zeng, Xuetao Shi, Yuhan Lin, Wenfeng Zhu, Houbu Li, Junliang Zhang, Junwei Gu

publishedFirst author.Journal of Materials Science & Technology 255, 259–269DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.09.003

Graphical abstract showing BPEN synthesis, carbon-fiber pretreatment and coating, interface-strengthening mechanisms, and hot-pressed CF PEEK laminates. — **Graphical abstract.** The study links BPEN molecular design and fiber coating with the strengthened CF/PEEK interface and laminated-composite fabrication.Original article

Overview

A study of a biphenyl-containing branched poly(aryl-ether-nitrile) interfacial compatibilizer for CF/PEEK laminated composites.

The article investigates a biphenyl-containing branched poly(aryl-ether-nitrile) as an interfacial compatibilizer for carbon-fiber/PEEK laminated composites. Its reported results connect interfacial design with mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic-interference-shielding performance.

Selected evidence

Key figures from the article

Scanning-electron and atomic-force microscopy images comparing pristine, pretreated, and BPEN-coated carbon fibers. — **Figure 5.** Surface morphology of carbon fibers before and after pretreatment and coating at different BPEN concentrations and branching degrees.Original article · PDF page 8

Interfacial hardness and modulus plots, nanoindentation locations, shear-fracture surfaces, and diagrams of the reinforcement mechanism. — **Figure 6.** Nanoindentation, fracture morphology, and the proposed interfacial reinforcement mechanisms of CF@BPEN/PEEK micro-composites.Original article · PDF page 9

Thermal, mechanical, infrared-thermography, and X-band electromagnetic-shielding measurements for laminated composites. — **Figure 7.** Thermal stability, heat transport, laminate strength, and electromagnetic-interference shielding performance.Original article · PDF page 10