{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T18:52:27Z","timestamp":1791399147776,"version":"4.3.3"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"American Chemical Society (ACS)","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1791331200000},"content-version":"stm-asf","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15223\/policy-029"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1791331200000},"content-version":"stm-asf","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15223\/policy-037"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1791331200000},"content-version":"stm-asf","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15223\/policy-045"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>To enhance the interfacial performance of 3D-printed short carbon fiber-reinforced polylactic acid (CF\/PLA) composites, this study designed and synthesized a series of methoxypolyethylene glycol-polyaniline (PEG-PANI) block copolymers with varying ratios of rigid PANI segments to flexible PEG segments to construct a modulus gradient interfacial layer between the CF and PLA. After introducing the PEG-PANI copolymer onto the surface of continuous carbon fibers (CCFs), modified CF\/PLA filaments were prepared via twin-screw pelletization and single-screw extrusion and then formed using fused deposition modeling (FDM). Mechanical testing indicates that the mechanical properties of the composite are optimized when the molar ratio of rigid PANI to flexible PEG units is 1:1. Compared to pure CF\/PLA, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and impact strength increased by 113.48 and 90.37%, respectively, while tensile strength and flexural strength increased by 46.88 and 32.44%, respectively. Atomic force microscopy peak-force quantitative nanomechanical mapping (AFM-PF-QNM) characterization revealed that the PEG-PANI block copolymer formed a continuous modulus gradient transition zone at the modified interface. This gradient structure facilitates effective stress transfer and uniform load distribution under external forces, thereby significantly improving mechanical compatibility and load-bearing efficiency. This study provides an effective interface control strategy for the development of high-performance FDM-printed composites.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.6c14784","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T18:02:10Z","timestamp":1791396130000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Enhanced Interfacial Performance of 3D-Printed CF\/PLA Composites via a \u201cRigid\u2013Flexible\u201d Interface Constructed by PEG-PANI Copolymers with an Adjustable Rigidity\u2013Flexibility Ratio"],"prefix":"10.1021","author":[{"given":"He","family":"Ou-Yang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Science and Technology , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 210014"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xuanyu","family":"Zhou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing Tech University , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 211816"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jie","family":"Hua","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Science and Technology , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 210014"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ziqiang","family":"Zhu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Science and Technology , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 210014"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xinhui","family":"Yang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing Tech University , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 211816"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zehao","family":"Shen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Science and Technology , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 210014"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xiao","family":"Sun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Science and Technology , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 210014"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5663-9119","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Wei","family":"jiang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Science and Technology , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 210014"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yanan","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing Tech University , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 211816"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0921-5257","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Yubing","family":"Hu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Nanjing University of Science and Technology , , ,","place":["Nanjing, China, 210014"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"316","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesa.2020.106114","article-title":"Overview of 3D additive manufacturing (AM) and corresponding AM composites","volume":"139","author":"Wang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Compos. Part A"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.coco.2023.101655","article-title":"Micro-structure and tensile property analyses of 3D printed short carbon fiber reinforced PEEK composites","volume":"41","author":"Fu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Compos. Commun."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2024.111645","article-title":"Recent advances in 4D printing of fiber-reinforced polymer composites: A review and outlook","volume":"283","author":"Qiu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Composites, Part B"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesa.2024.108426","article-title":"Characterization of thermomechanical properties and damage mechanisms using acoustic emission of Lygeum spartum PLA 3D-printed biocomposite with fused deposition modelling","volume":"186","author":"Benabderazag","year":"2024","journal-title":"Compos. A: Appl. Sci. Manuf."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"176","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addma.2018.04.039","article-title":"An investigation into 3D printing of fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites","volume":"22","author":"Blok","year":"2018","journal-title":"Addit. Manuf."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2024.111503","article-title":"Novel thermoplastic matrix resin with low processing temperature and good interfacial strength for carbon fiber-reinforced polyethersulfone","volume":"281","author":"Kim","year":"2024","journal-title":"Compos. Part B"},{"issue":"13","key":"2026100714015967600_cit7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/polym17131880","article-title":"Enhancing the Energy Absorption Performance of 3D-Printed CF\/TPU Composite Materials by Introducing a \u201cRigid-Elastic\u201d Structure Through Multi-Scale Synergies","volume":"17","author":"Zhou","year":"2025","journal-title":"Polymers"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2022.109658","article-title":"3D printing nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical property and excellent electromagnetic wave absorption capability via the introduction of ZIF-derivative modified carbon fibers","volume":"233","author":"Wu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Compos. Part B"},{"issue":"29","key":"2026100714015967600_cit9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"46483","DOI":"10.1002\/app.46483","article-title":"Poly(lactic acid)\u2013thermoplastic poly(ether)urethane composites synergistically reinforced and toughened with short carbon fibers for three-dimensional printing","volume":"135","author":"Qian","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Appl. Polym. Sci."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10888","DOI":"10.1002\/pc.28516","article-title":"Experimental analysis of 3D printed continuous carbon\/glass hybrid fiber reinforced PLA composites: Revealing synergistic mechanical properties and failure mechanisms","volume":"45","author":"Chen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Polym. Compos."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesa.2024.108087","article-title":"Carbon fibre surface modification by plasma for enhanced polymeric composite performance: A review","volume":"180","author":"Pitto","year":"2024","journal-title":"Compos. A: Appl. Sci. Manuf."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2025.112758","article-title":"Carbon fibre surface modification and its effects on adhesion, mechanical, and tribological behaviour of high-performance thermoplastics","volume":"306","author":"Dabees","year":"2025","journal-title":"Compo. Part B"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmatsci.2023.101221","article-title":"Mechanical enhancement of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers: From interfacial regulating strategies to advanced processing technologies","volume":"142","author":"Sun","year":"2024","journal-title":"Prog. Mater. Sci."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cej.2026.173974","article-title":"Flexible thiol\u2013ene crosslinked reduced graphene oxide-functionalized styrene-butadiene-styrene films with enhanced thermal conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency","volume":"531","author":"Liu","year":"2026","journal-title":"Chem. Eng. J."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compscitech.2022.109672","article-title":"Constructing a multiscale rigid-flexible interfacial structure at the interphase by hydrogen bonding to improve the interfacial performance of high modulus carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites","volume":"229","author":"Qiu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Compos. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compscitech.2020.108336","article-title":"Establishment of multistage gradient modulus intermediate layer between fiber and matrix via designing double \u201crigid-flexible\u201d structure to improve interfacial and mechanical properties of carbon fiber\/resin composites","volume":"200","author":"Feng","year":"2020","journal-title":"Compos. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4495","DOI":"10.1002\/pc.27415","article-title":"Polydopamine and polyethyleneimine commodified carbon fibers\/epoxy composites with gradual and alternate rigid-flexible structures: Design, characterizations, interfacial, and mechanical properties","volume":"44","author":"Han","year":"2023","journal-title":"Polym. Compos."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12044","DOI":"10.1002\/pc.28617","article-title":"Simultaneously improving interfacial adhesion and toughness of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites by grafting polyethyleneimine on the carbon fiber surface to construct a rigid-flexible interface","volume":"45","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Polym. Compos."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"22747","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.4c04051","article-title":"Constructing a Novel Moderately Modulus \u201cRigid-Flexible\u201d Structure with Synergistic Reinforcement on the Carbon Fiber Surface to Enhance the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber\/Epoxy Composites at Elevated Temperatures","volume":"16","author":"Feng","year":"2024","journal-title":"ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matdes.2026.115622","article-title":"Enhanced anti-plasticizer migration in GO\/EPDM insulation for composite solid propellants: Experimental study and molecular dynamics simulation","volume":"534","author":"Lu","year":"2026","journal-title":"Mater. Des."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1002\/pc.70767","article-title":"Enhancing the Interfacial Performance of Composites via the Construction of a Multiscale Rigid-Flexible Interfacial Layer on Carbon Fiber Surfaces","volume":"47","author":"Zhang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Polym. Compos."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2023.110883","article-title":"Constructing \u201cnunchaku-like\u201d multi-stage gradient interface via covalently grafting rigid-flexible-rigid structures onto carbon fibers: An effect strategy to improve interfacial properties of composites","volume":"263","author":"Zheng","year":"2023","journal-title":"Compos. Part B"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2022.109846","article-title":"Improvement on strength and toughness for CFRPs by construction of novel \u201csoft-rigid\u201d interface layer","volume":"236","author":"Pu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Compos. Part B"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compstruct.2025.119613","article-title":"Interface enhancement of 3D printed CF\/PLA composites by introducing \u201crigid-flexible\u201d structures through multi-bond synergies","volume":"372","author":"Ou-Yang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Compos. Struct."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"26528","DOI":"10.1039\/D1TA07151C","article-title":"Carbon fibre surface chemistry and its role in fibre-to-matrix adhesion","volume":"9","author":"Eyckens","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Mater. Chem. A"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10150","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.macromol.8b02017","article-title":"Triple-Helix Conformation of a Polysaccharide Determined with Light Scattering, AFM, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation","volume":"51","author":"Meng","year":"2018","journal-title":"Macromolecules"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"27157","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.2c04126","article-title":"Enhanced Interfacial Integrity for Chain Growth Polymer Carbon Fiber Composites via Surface-Initiated Polymerization","volume":"14","author":"He","year":"2022","journal-title":"ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces"},{"issue":"11","key":"2026100714015967600_cit28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2686","DOI":"10.1002\/pat.4698","article-title":"Synthesis of siloxane-containing benzoxazine and its synergistic effect on flame retardancy of polyoxymethylene","volume":"30","author":"Lu","year":"2019","journal-title":"Polym. Adv. Technol."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2025.112388","article-title":"Construction of \u201crigid-and-flexible\u201d interphase by waterborne carboxylated polyimide sizing agent for interfacial enhancement of carbon fiber\/poly ether ether ketone (CF\/PEEK) composites","volume":"298","author":"Chen","year":"2025","journal-title":"Compos. Part B"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.polymer.2020.123308","article-title":"Intrinsic chain stiffness in flexible linear polymers under extreme confinement","volume":"213","author":"Kim","year":"2021","journal-title":"Polymer"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11846","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.6b16041","article-title":"Design Rules for Enhanced Interfacial Shear Response in Functionalized Carbon Fiber Epoxy Composites","volume":"9","author":"Demir","year":"2017","journal-title":"ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsusc.2021.149162","article-title":"Effects of chain length of polyether amine on interfacial adhesion of carbon fiber\/epoxy composite in the absence or presence of polydopamine bridging platform","volume":"547","author":"Wu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14471","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.chemrev.2c00189","article-title":"Linear Block Copolymer Synthesis","volume":"122","author":"Dau","year":"2022","journal-title":"Chem. Rev."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compscitech.2020.108490","article-title":"Preparation of semi-aliphatic polyimide for organic-solvent-free sizing agent in CF\/PEEK composites","volume":"201","author":"Yuan","year":"2021","journal-title":"Compos. Sci. Technol."},{"issue":"9","key":"2026100714015967600_cit35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6149","DOI":"10.1002\/pc.27553","article-title":"Enhancement of interfacial properties of HMCF composites by constructing of rigid-flexible interphase through naphthalenediimide with different flexible chain lengths","volume":"44","author":"Ling","year":"2023","journal-title":"Polym. Compos."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1741","DOI":"10.1002\/pc.25928","article-title":"Waterborne epoxy sizing agent with hyperbranched structure to improve the interface performance ofcarbon fiber","volume":"42","author":"Chen","year":"2021","journal-title":"ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"127","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compscitech.2017.12.031","article-title":"A predictive model of interfacial interactions between functionalised carbon fiber surfaces cross-linked with epoxy resin","volume":"159","author":"Demir","year":"2018","journal-title":"Compos. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"55633","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.1c14535","article-title":"Constructing a Rigid-and-Flexible Twin-Stage Gradient Interphase through Starlike Copolymer Coating on Carbon Fibers: A Route for Enhancing Interfacial Properties of Composites","volume":"13","author":"Zhang","year":"2021","journal-title":"ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesb.2023.110674","article-title":"Tailored rigid-flexible interphase of M40X composites via block copolymers: A combined method of experimental analysis and molecular dynamic simulation","volume":"257","author":"Yang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Compos. Part B"},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"990","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compositesa.2012.01.004","article-title":"Release of interfacial thermal stress and accompanying improvement of interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites: Induced by diblock copolymers","volume":"43","author":"Deng","year":"2012","journal-title":"Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"279","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsusc.2013.04.085","article-title":"Improved interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber\/polyether sulfone composites through an organic solvent-free polyamic acid sizing","volume":"279","author":"Yuan","year":"2013","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci."},{"key":"2026100714015967600_cit42","volume-title":"Synthesis and Self-assembly Behaviors of Rod-coil PANI\/PEG Block Copolymers [D]","author":"Mao","year":"2006"}],"container-title":["ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1021\/acsami.6c14784","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"unspecified"},{"URL":"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/aamick\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1021\/acsami.6c14784\/68778350\/am-2026-147849.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/aamick\/article-pdf\/doi\/10.1021\/acsami.6c14784\/68778350\/am-2026-147849.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T18:10:25Z","timestamp":1791396625000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/pubs.acs.org\/aamick\/article\/doi\/10.1021\/acsami.6c14784\/5446541\/Enhanced-Interfacial-Performance-of-3D-Printed-CF"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]]},"references-count":42,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsami.6c14784","relation":{},"ISSN":["1944-8244","1944-8252"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1944-8244","type":"print"},{"value":"1944-8252","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]]}}}