MXene–CF synergy to improve tribological properties of epoxy resin/carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile

The use of hybrid fillers provides a new route for improving the friction and wear properties of polymer composites due to their synergistic effect. In the present study, a two-dimensional derivative of MAX phases (MXene) was loaded onto the surface of carbon fiber (CF) and used as reinforcement to modify the tribological properties of epoxy resin (EP) composites. The latter were tested on a plate-on-ring contact configuration as a function of load and sliding speed with reference to composites filled with single carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile (CTBN), MXene and CF. It was revealed that, when MXene and CF were incorporated simultaneously into EP/CTBN, the composite's friction coefficient and wear rate were reduced by 55.8% and 96.6% compared to those of EP/CTBN matrix. The mechanisms underlying this improvement are discussed based on a thorough analysis of the morphology of the worn surface and the chemical composition of transfer films. As a result, synergistic interaction between MX@CF and the rubber phase was revealed.