Interfacial performance of high-performance fiber-reinforced composites improved by cold plasma treatment: A review

Cold plasma technology has been widely used in the surface treatment of micro/nanostructured materials, including surface activation, functionalization, etching and polymerization, which improves energy absorption mechanisms of composite materials. This study reviews the various applications of different cold plasma discharge mechanisms, plasma systems and their interfacial adhesion performance in fiber reinforced composites. The effects of different plasma sources and different discharge methods with modification procedures as well as their mechanisms on structure and performance changes of high-performance fiber reinforced composites have been elucidated. The effects of various cold plasma treatment processes on functional and interfacial performance of composites with different high-performance fiber types, fillers and resins are also reviewed. Moreover, factors associated with cold plasma treatment on high-performance fiber surface modifications are also analyzed. Finally, we summarized knowledge and achievements in terms of cold plasma treatment methodology, functionalization degree, wettability enhancement, improvement of interfacial performance and function group.