Tribological properties of polyimide composite coatings synergistically reinforced by metal-organic frameworks modified carbon fibers and graphite

The tribological properties of neat polyimide (PI) are incompatible with service conditions, necessitating the urgent modification of its tribological properties. Carbon fibers (CFs) were surface modified with in-situ grown metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporated into PI coating towards the goal of improving its mechanical and tribological properties in combination with graphite (Gr). It is successfully demonstrated that the enhanced interfacial adhesion between the CFs and PI, due to the mechanical interlocking effect of the MOFs, improved the load-carrying capacity and anti-wear properties of the coatings. Additionally, the friction-reduction effect of Gr further contributed to the improvement of tribological properties of MCFs/5Gr/PI coating. Overall, findings of the present study promote the development of engineering plastics with enhanced tribological properties.