Graphene/cardanol modified phenolic resin for the development of carbon fiber paper-based composites

Carbon fiber paper-based composites (GCPC) were prepared by impregnating carbon fiber papers in a solution of graphene and cardanol modified phenolic resin (GCP). GCP was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and the electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, pore distribution, and porosity of GCPC were investigated by a four-probe tester, universal testing machine, microtopography, and porous material analyzer, respectively. The results show that the electrical properties and mechanical strength of GCPC were improved with the increase of graphene and cardanol content. The porosity decreased and the proportion of small holes increased with the increase of graphene, while the porosity increased and the proportion of small holes decreased with the increase of cardanol. When the content of cardanol was 20% (mass fraction), the tensile strength of the composite reached 38.17 MPa, the resistivity reached 18.46 mΩ cm, and the porosity reached 67.46%.