Improved mechanical performances of short aramid fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites by Ti₃C₂ Mxene nanosheets

Abstract Fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites are widely used for structural bearing because of their excellent mechanical property. So, it is necessary to improve the mechanical property of fiber‐reinforced PP composites. In this present, two‐dimensional Ti₃C₂ Mxene nanosheets were bound to short aramid fiber (SAF), forming Ti₃C₂ nanosheets‐modified SAF (Ti₃C₂/SAF), aiming to improve PP mechanical property. The Ti₃C₂ nanosheets were obtained after hydrofluoric acid etching and ultrasonically delamination procedure, followed by chemically bound to the surface of H₃PO₄ solution‐treated SAF to form Ti₃C₂/SAF. The Ti₃C₂/SAF‐reinforced PP (Ti₃C₂/SAF/PP) composites were prepared by a melt blending method. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the Ti₃C₂/SAF modified with different concentration of Ti₃C₂ nanosheets solution presented the distinct morphologies, with the 0.3 mg/ml Ti₃C₂/SAF formed a relatively uniform Ti₃C₂ nanosheets coating on the SAF surface. Test results of mechanical performance indicated that the tensile and impact strength of Ti₃C₂/SAF/PP composites were significantly improved. Especially, the maximum tensile and impact strength of 0.3 Ti₃C₂/SAF/PP composite at 5 wt% reached to 37.8 MPa and 14.0 kJ/m², which was increased by 11.5% (or 28.1%) in tensile strength and 12.9% (or 38.6%) in impact strength, compared with that of SAF/PP composite (or PP matrix). This can be attributed that Ti₃C₂ nanosheets binding to SAF improved the interfacial bonding strength between SAF and PP. This work provides a promising strategy for improving the mechanical properties of fiber‐reinforced PP composites.