Synchronously constructing networked Si_(3)N_(4) nanowires and interconnected graphene inside carbon fiber composites for enhancing mechanical, friction and anti-ablation properties

Carbon fiber(C_(f))reinforced pyrolytic carbon(PyC)composites simultaneously possessing robust mechanical strength,excellent friction performances and outstanding anti-ablation properties are demanded for advanced aerospace applications.Efficient architecture design and optimization of composites are promi-nent yet remain high challenging for realizing the above requirements.Herein,binary reinforcements of networked silicon nitride nanowires(Si_(3)N_(4) nws)and interconnected graphene(GE)have been successfully constructed into C f/PyC by precursor impregnation-pyrolysis and chemical vapor deposition.Notably,net-worked Si_(3)N_(4) nws are uniformly distributed among the carbon fibers,while interconnected GE is firmly rooted on the surface of both networked Si_(3)N_(4) nws and carbon fibers.In the networked Si_(3)N_(4) nws and interconnected GE reinforced C_(f)/PyC,networked Si_(3)N_(4) nws significantly boost the cohesion strength of PyC,while GE markedly improves the interface bonding of both Si_(3)N_(4) nws/PyC and fiber/PyC.Benefiting from the synergistic reinforcement effect of networked Si_(3)N_(4) nws and interconnected GE,the C_(f)/PyC have a prominent enhancement in mechanical(shear and compressive strengths increased by 119.9% and 52.84%,respectively)and friction(friction coefficient and wear rate reduced by 25.40% and 60.10%,respectively)as well as anti-ablation(mass ablation rate and linear ablation rate decreased by 71.25% and 63.01%,respectively).This present strategy for networked Si_(3)N_(4) nws and interconnected GE reinforced C_(f)/PyC provides a dominant route to produce mechanically robust,frictionally resisting and ablatively resistant materials for use in advanced aerospace applications.