Fabrication of High Performance PET/TLCP Fibers through the Synergistic Interfacial Enhancement and Compatibilization of Functional 1D and 2D Carbon Nanomaterials

The maleic anhydride functionalized graphene oxide (GO-MA) is fabricated by an efficient and solvent-free Diels-Alder reaction. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/thermotropic liquid crystal polyester (TLCP), PET/TLCP/GO-MA, PET/TLCP/aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-NH2), and PET/TLCP/GO-MA/MWCNTs-NH2 composite fibers are systematically melt-spun. The structure and compatibilizing effects of GO-MA and MWCNTs-NH2 on the mechanical, thermal, and crystallization properties of the composite fibers are indicated. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data show that TLCP and nanofillers can change the crystalline morphology of PET. The mechanical properties of the fibers rise with increasing TLCP content. The tensile strength 929 MPa and modulus 17.5 GPa of the fibers with 7 wt% TLCP and 0.25 wt% nanofillers (0.1 wt% GO-MA and 0.15 wt% MWCNTs-NH2) are significantly higher than those with 7 wt% TLCP (tensile strength 622 MPa and modulus 16.1 GPa) and even higher than those with 15% TLCP (tensile strength 836 MPa, and modulus 18.0 GPa). When the GO-MA and MWCNTs-NH2 co-exist, the anti-dripping phenomenon is improved. Therefore, the TLCP, GO, and MWCNTs synergistically strengthens the mechanical properties. This is promising for the industrial fabrication of high-strength fibers.