Data "Dual-modified basalt fibre-reinforced bio-based polymer composites with MXene-coated fibres and star-like polymer for enhanced mechanical and multifunctional performance"

This study investigates the combined effect of Ti3C2Tx MXene-coated basalt fibres and a star-like polymer (SLP) based on n-butyl methacrylate-block-glycidyl methacrylate modified bio-based epoxy on the mechanical and multifunctional performance of basalt fibre-reinforced composites (BFRC). Basalt fibres were modified by oxygen plasma treatment followed by repeated MXene dip-coating, while SLP was incorporated into the epoxy matrix to improve wettability and interfacial interaction. SEM and XPS analyses confirmed successful deposition of MXene on the fibre surface, whereas incorporation of SLP reduced the epoxy surface energy by 20.2%. Mechanical performance was evaluated under Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (ILFT), flexural, fatigue, and low-velocity impact loading conditions. SLP matrix modification increased ILFT by 45% and improved the impact maximum force by 38% and energy absorption by 78%. The combined SLP/MXene modification resulted in the highest overall flexural and fatigue performance, with flexural strength, modulus, and fatigue strength at 2 million cycles improved by 25%, 23%, and 26%, respectively, compared with untreaded BFRC. In addition, MXene-modified BFRC laminates demonstrated damage-sensitive electrical resistance behaviour during flexural loading, indicating the potential for multifunctional structural applications with integrated damage-monitoring capability. Two-way ANOVA results showed that SLP matrix modification was the main factor contributing to improved mechanical and impact performance in the investigated composites, while MXene treatment produced interaction effects that constrained or diminished the beneficial effects of SLP modification under different loading conditions.