The current study focuses on studying the effect of reinforcement of carbon fabric (CF) decorated with in-situ grown silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) on the performance properties of epoxy composite. The Ag NPs were grown on carbon fabric by reducing silver nitrate. The main objective of developing such an innovative reinforcement was to improve thermal conductivity, interlaminar strength, and tribological properties of CF-epoxy composites. The growth of NPs on the surface of CF was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction studies. The development of composites was conducted by the impregnation method, followed by compression molding. It was observed that in-situ growth of Ag NPs enhanced thermal conductivity by 40%, enhanced inter-laminar shear strength by 70%, enhanced wear resistance by 95%, and reduced the friction coefficient by 35% in comparison to untreated CF.
Keywords: carbon fabric; epoxy; nano-composites; silver nanoparticles.