Interfacial Bionic Design and Performance Evaluation of Polyacrylonitrile Fiber@SBS Modified Binder

The mechanical properties of fiber composites are greatly affected by the interfacial interactions between the fibers and matrix, and hence the study of interfacial properties becomes critical. This study demonstrates a simple and effective interfacial modification process using polydopamine (PDA) coating with ZnO nanorods to construct a multi-scale bionic structure on the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber, which is conducive to increasing the bonding area and enhancing the load transfer, thus boosting the mechanical properties of modified fiber incorporated asphalt binder. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy analyses confirmed the successful construction of multi-scale bionic structure. The cone penetration test and thermogravimetric analysis showed that the octopus-inspired multiscale PAN fiber (OIM-PAN) composite styrene butadiene styrene modified binder (SBS/MB) had better shear strength and thermal stability and hence OIM-PAN@SBS/MB was exhibited 40.23% enhanced shear strength compared with PAN@SBS/MB. Dynamic shear rheometer test showed that the deformation resistance and viscoelastic properties of fiber composite SBS/MB were enhanced compared with SBS/MB, and OIM-PAN@SBS/MB exhibited the best deformation resistance and viscoelastic properties. The storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″′) of 3% OIM-PAN@SBS/MB was improved by 72.47% and 57.99% than 3% PAN@SBS/MB, respectivesly. Thus, it can be concluded that this interfacial modification process can significantly improve the mechanical properties of fiber-asphalt composites by introducing a third phase between the fiber and asphalt interface to achieve functionally graded material properties and enhance the load transfer between the interfaces for large-scale applications in road engineering and construction sites. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved