CNT/epoxy composite film (CECF) was prepared and used to fabricate the interlayer stiffened and reinforced photothermal synergistic curing glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, and the influence of the photothermal effects of CECF on compressive strength and failure mechanism of the composite was investigated. Compared to GFRP composite, the uniform and wide temperature distribution in the in-plane and thickness direction was exhibited due to the heat from the lattice vibrations induced by photothermal conversions of CECF, thereby facilitating the decomposition of the thermal initiator and the increase of the curing degree in the CECF/GFRP composite. The in-plane shear modulus and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the CECF/GFRP composite were 12.2% and 13.7% higher than those of the GFRP composite, respectively, indicating the enhanced deformation resistance and interfacial adhesion of the interlayer region. The compressive strength of the CECF/GFRP composite was increased by 14.1% relative to the GFRP composite, which was ascribed to restricted kink-band and delayed delamination damage during the compression process of composite.

Improving the compressive strength of interlaminar stiffened and reinforced glass fiber composites by CNTepoxy composite film with photothermal effects
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Fabrication of EP resin film and CNTEP composite film
        2.3 Fabrication of CECFGFRP
        2.4 Analysis and characterization
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Photothermal effects of CECF
        3.2 Thermal parameters and curing degree of composites
        3.3 In-plane properties and interlaminar shear strength of composites
        3.4 Compressive strength and failure mechanism of composites
    4 Conclusion
    References

• Weijie Kong(State Key Laboratory of Organic‑Inorganic Composites , Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China)
• Can Song(State Key Laboratory of Organic‑Inorganic Composites , Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China)
• Yunhua Yu(State Key Laboratory of Organic‑Inorganic Composites , Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China)
• Gang Li(State Key Laboratory of Organic‑Inorganic Composites , Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China)
• Xiaoping Yang(State Key Laboratory of Organic‑Inorganic Composites , Beijing University of Chemical Technology , Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China)