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

Abstract 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. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.