10/2016-12/2020 Ph.D. in Mechanical/Structural Engineering
• IMDEA Materials Institute & Polytechnic University of Madrid
• Thesis: “Hybrid FRP/CNT veil hierarchical composite with enhanced interlaminar properties and integrated multifunctionalities” (el Premio Extraordinario de Doctorado)
09/2013-06/2016 Master in Structure engineering and Building materials
• College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Hunan, Changsha, China
• Thesis: “Research on multi-scale mechanical properties of basalt fiber reinforced plastic”
(Excellent master's thesis of Hunan Province)
09/2009-06/2013 Bachelor in Agricultural Structure Environment and Energy Engineering
• College of Water Conservancy & Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Bejing, China
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Materials Science, Polymers and Plastics, Mechanics of Materials, Civil and Structural Engineering
48
Scopus Publications
1750
Scholar Citations
20
Scholar h-index
27
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Nano-Engineered Sandwich Interlayers for Simultaneous Functionalization and Delamination Resistance in CFRPs Pengzhe Ji, Yunxiao Zhang, Yunfu Ou, Juan Li, Dongsheng Mao Polymers, 2026 Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) are widely employed in advanced manufacturing sectors such as aerospace, wind energy, and new energy vehicles owing to their high specific strength and stiffness. The growing demand for lightweight, high-performance, and multifunctional materials has accelerated the development of structurally and functionally integrated CFRP. Introducing functional interlayers between composite laminates is an effective strategy to impart additional functionalities; however, such interlayers are often multi-component and structurally complex. A critical challenge remains to integrate functionality without compromising, and preferably enhancing, the load-bearing capability of CFRP, particularly their resistance to interlaminar delamination. In this study, electrically heated CFRP incorporating a sandwich-structured interlayer composed of glass fiber mesh fabric/CNT veils doped with carbon nanotubes/glass fiber mesh fabric (GF/CNTs-CNTv/GF) was investigated. The effects of interlayer architecture and CNT loading on the Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness were systematically examined. Delamination failure modes and interlaminar toughening mechanisms were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and ultra-depth-of-field three-dimensional microscopy. The results demonstrate that an optimal CNT pre-impregnation concentration of 1.0 wt% yielded a maximum GIIC of 1644.8 J/m2, corresponding to a 103.06% increase relative to the reference laminate. The enhanced performance is attributed to simultaneous optimization of interfacial “nano-engineering” effects, including matrix toughening and a pronounced “nano-anchoring” mechanism induced by CNT. These effects promote a transition in failure mode from weak interfacial debonding to a mesh-block composite delamination pattern, thereby activating multiple energy-dissipation mechanisms such as crack deflection, fiber pull-out, rupture, and bridging. This work highlights the effectiveness of CNT-modified sandwich interlayers in improving delamination resistance and provides both theoretical insight and experimental validation for the design of multifunctional CFRP with superior interlaminar fracture toughness.
A comprehensive review on fiber-based self-sensing polymer composites for in situ structural health monitoring Yinping Tao, Rongmin Zhang, Xianming Hu, Yunfu Ou, Musu Ren, Jinliang Sun, Han Zhang, Ton Peijs Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 2025 Polymer composites have played a crucial role in diverse industries, such as aerospace, marine, energy, automotive, and civil engineering, utilizing their lightweight, high strength-to-weight ratio, and resistance to fatigue and corrosion. However, conventional composites often lack intrinsic damage detection capabilities, posing potential safety risks. The development of self-sensing polymer composites with in situ structural health monitoring (SHM) capabilities presents a promising solution to this challenge. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in self-sensing polymer composites, focusing on integrated piezoresistive fibrous sensors, fiber optic sensors, and magnetic fibrous sensors. The working principles, sensing mechanisms, and damage detection capabilities of each technique are discussed, alongside a critical evaluation of their advantages and limitations. In particular, a direct comparison of damage detection capabilities of these sensing techniques is provided to highlight their effectiveness in various SHM applications. Finally, emerging challenges and future research directions in self-sensing composites are examined, emphasizing the need for scalable manufacturing approaches, long-term reliability assessment, and integration with data-driven predictive models. The combination of nanomaterials, hybrid sensing strategies, and artificial intelligence assisted diagnostics is expected to drive the next generation of intelligent structural monitoring systems for enhanced safety and reliability in composite structures.
Polyamide mesh as an effective toughening interlayer for GFRP composites: insights into fracture behavior and mechanisms Yunxiao Zhang, Hongchen Zhao, Yunfu Ou, Han Zhang, Xudan Yao, Dongsheng Mao Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 2025 The strategy of interlaminar toughening shows tremendous potential in addressing delamination failure in glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. In contrast to commonly used particulate or nanofibrous interleaves, mesh structures feature a more continuous and uniform architecture, which confers notable benefits in terms of scalability. Despite this potential, there is currently a lack of systematic studies on the role of mesh structures in interlaminar toughening. Therefore, this study investigates the interlaminar toughening behavior of polyamide (PA) mesh, known for its excellent mechanical properties, as an interlayer in GFRP, focusing on the effects of different mesh densities and thicknesses. Through different fracture tests and failure analyses, the correlation between mode I/II fracture behaviors and characteristic parameters of PA6 mesh was elucidated. The results indicate that by introducing the PA6 mesh, the mode I and mode II fracture toughness can be improved by 109% and 69%, respectively. This enhancement is attributed to the structural toughening effect of the PA mesh, including PA fiber bridging, plastic deformation, and fracture, as well as its ability to induce controlled crack deflection and guidance. Upon analysis, the primary factor influencing the toughening efficiency of the PA mesh is the mesh porosity. Only within an appropriate porosity range (20% ~ 60%) can the interlaminar toughening effect of the PA mesh be activated. Under this premise, thickness, as the secondary dominant factor, has a positive regulatory effect on the interlaminar fracture toughness of the PA intercalated laminates.
Towards developing advanced CFRP with simultaneously enhanced fracture toughness and in-plane properties via interleaving CNT/PEI hybrid veils Yiting Weng, Kun Liu, Yunfu Ou, Juan Li, Dongsheng Mao Polymer Composites, 2024 Carbon nanotube (CNT)‐polyetherimide (PEI) hybrid nanofibrous veils were prepared through the electrospinning process to function as an interlayer in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRP), and the effects of the addition of the hybrid fiber veils on the interlaminar fracture properties and flexural properties of CFRP were investigated. The results showed that interleaving CNT/PEI hybrid veils can effectively avoid long‐troubled trade‐off between mode‐I interlaminar fracture toughness and in‐plane properties when using thermoplastic toughening materials. Specifically, the GIc value and flexural strength of the laminates were increased by as much as 86.2% and 14.3%, respectively when CNT content was reached up to 0.7 wt% in CNT/PEI hybrid veil. This method adopts ultra‐low PEI and CNT additions, and the limited quantity of these additives demonstrates a notably high interlaminar toughening efficiency while concurrently enhancing the strength, rendering it a promising strategy for both toughening and strengthening.Highlights PEI is used as a carrier to transport CNT to the CFRP interlaminar layers. PEI‐CNT hybrid fiber veils improve GIC and flexural strength of CFRP. PEI‐CNT hybrid fiber veils impede crack expansion through various mechanisms. This method adopts ultra‐low PEI and CNT additions.
Superior mechanical and ballistic performance of carbon nanotube-reinforced phenolic/aramid fabric composites via a two-roll pressing process Zhaojing Li, Mengjie Wang, Yanchen Liu, Lijuan Cai, Jiayi Fan, Yunfu Ou, Lingzhuang Zhu, He Li, Dongsheng Mao Polymer Composites, 2024 In this study, aramid fiber (AF)/phenolic resin prepreg was fabricated by impregnating low content carbon nanotube (CNT)‐reinforced phenolic resin with aramid fabric through a two‐roll pressing process. Both non‐functionalized and carboxylic‐functionalized CNTs (CNTs and CNTs‐COOH) were used for comparison study. For each of the formulations, composite laminate was made by a hot‐pressing process with a number of the prepregs stacked together. Mechanical properties and ballistic performance of the laminates and material failure mechanisms were evaluated and analyzed. Both non‐functionalized and CNTs‐COOH can effectively improve the mechanical and ballistic performance of the laminates. With CNTs‐COOH reinforcement, better results were achieved. As compared with the laminate without CNT reinforcement, 1.0 wt% CNTs‐COOH‐reinforced laminate showed 19.41%, 22.29%, and 45.83% improvement in tensile, flexural, and adhesion shear strength, respectively. The ballistic test results showed that the V50 and the specific energy absorption (SEA) were increased by 5.77% and 13.44%, respectively. The correlation between mechanical and ballistic performance of the composites was analyzed and conducted.
Exploring the interlaminar toughening potential of carbon nanoparticles: Structural and size effects Yunxiao Zhang, Yunfu Ou, Longqiang Wu, Anran Fu, Yiting Weng, Dongsheng Mao Composites Communications, 2024 This work explored the influence of the intrinsic structure and size of different carbon nanoparticles on the morphologies of their corresponding aggregated structures, as well as their interlaminar toughening effect in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites . CNTs and Grs with different sizes were selected as building blocks of toughening layer, which were firstly well-dispersed into acetone and then spray-coated onto the surface of carbon fabrics. The results indicate that one-dimensional filamentous CNTs are prone to forming loose and porous layers , exhibiting better interlaminar toughening effects. On the contrary, the layers formed by two-dimensional sheet-like graphene are relatively dense at microscale , which weakens the interlaminar fracture toughness of the laminated plate . In addition, CNTs with short length have a larger BET surface area at nanoscale and form a porous layer at microscale, showing best interlaminar toughening efficiency.
Nano-Engineered Sandwich Interlayers for Simultaneous Functionalization and Delamination Resistance in CFRPs P Ji, Y Zhang, Y Ou, J Li, D Mao Polymers 18 (8), 957 , 2026 2026
A comprehensive review on fiber-based self-sensing polymer composites for in situ structural health monitoring Y Tao, R Zhang, X Hu, Y Ou, M Ren, J Sun, H Zhang, T Peijs Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials 8 (5), 339 , 2025 2025 Citations: 18
Tailoring thermomechanical performance of carbon fiber/polyimide composites via carbon nanotube interface engineering Y Weng, Y Ou, J Li, Y Zhang, X Meng, D Mao Carbon, 120718 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
Comparative study of chemically grafted vs. physically coated CNTs on fracture toughness of BMI/CF laminates A Fu, Y Ou, J Li, Y Zhang, D Shen, Z Wang, Z Chen, D Mao Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 109225 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Polyamide mesh as an effective toughening interlayer for GFRP composites: insights into fracture behavior and mechanisms Y Zhang, H Zhao, Y Ou, H Zhang, X Yao, D Mao Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials 8 (4), 283 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Repeatable repairability and localised toughening of glass fibre/epoxy laminates using thermoplastic polyethylene oxide nanofibre mats and films R Zhang, X Hu, Q Chen, X Feng, M Miao, M Ren, J Sun, Y Ou, Y Tao Composites Part B: Engineering, 112803 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Method for preparing high toughness fiber reinforced polymer composite OU Yunfu, WU Longqiang, FU Anran, Z Hongchen, W Yiting US Patent App. 18/553,142 , 2025 2025
Fiber composite material reinforced and toughened by long-short carbon nanotubes and preparation method thereof OU Yunfu, ZHU Lingzhuang, W Mengjie, WU Longqiang US Patent App. 18/277,182 , 2025 2025
Superior mechanical and ballistic performance of carbon nanotube‐reinforced phenolic/aramid fabric composites via a two‐roll pressing process Z Li, M Wang, Y Liu, L Cai, J Fan, Y Ou, L Zhu, H Li, D Mao Polymer Composites 45 (9), 7850-7860 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
Towards developing advanced CFRP with simultaneously enhanced fracture toughness and in-plane properties via interleaving CNT/PEI hybrid veils Y Weng, K Liu, Y Ou, J Li, D Mao Polymer Composites , 2024 2024 Citations: 21
Fiber composite material and preparation method thereof OU Yunfu, D Mao, WU Longqiang, Z Hongchen, K Liu, W Yiting, FU Anran US Patent App. 18/219,157 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Maximizing interlaminar fracture toughness in bidirectional GFRP through controlled CNT heterogeneous toughening H Zhao, Y Zhang, Y Ou, L Wu, J Li, X Yao, X Yang, D Mao Polymers 16 (7), 1011 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Exploring the interlaminar toughening potential of carbon nanoparticles: Structural and size effects Y Zhang, Y Ou, L Wu, A Fu, Y Weng, D Mao Composites Communications 47, 101859 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Multi-scale synergistic toughening of glass fiber/epoxy laminates with carbon nanotube-modified carbon fiber felt Y Ou, H Zhao, J Li, D Mao Thin-Walled Structures 195, 111441 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Enhanced interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional CFRP laminates with tailored microstructural heterogeneity of toughening layer Y Ou, A Fu, L Wu, X Yi, D Mao Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 176, 107872 , 2024 2024 Citations: 45
Dynamic flexural behaviors of AR-Glass Textile–Reinforced concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures A Li, D Zhu, B Mobasher, Y Ou, S Guo Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 35 (12), 04023453 , 2023 2023 Citations: 6
Significantly improved interfacial and overall mechanical properties of aramid fiber/phenolic resin matrix composite reinforced with short CNT M Wang, J Yong, L Cai, Z Li, Y Ou, L Zhu, X Yi, D Mao Journal of Materials Research and Technology 26, 5225-5235 , 2023 2023 Citations: 25
Free-standing CNT film for interlaminar toughening: insight into infiltration and thickness effects A Fu, Y Ou, L Wu, Y Zhang, Y Weng, D Mao Polymers 15 (17), 3579 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
Improving corrosion resistance of BFRP bars by coating CNTs modified resin in simulated pore solution of seawater sea sand concrete G Feng, Y Ou, MZ Rahman, L Zhou, H Zhao, Q Chen, D Mao, D Zhu Construction and Building Materials 392, 131945 , 2023 2023 Citations: 38
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Interlaminar toughening in structural carbon fiber/epoxy composites interleaved with carbon nanotube veils Y Ou, C González, JJ Vilatela Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 124, 105477 , 2019 2019 Citations: 217
Tensile behavior of glass fiber reinforced composite at different strain rates and temperatures Y Ou, D Zhu Construction and Building Materials 96, 648-656 , 2015 2015 Citations: 188
Mechanical characterization of the tensile properties of glass fiber and its reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite under varying strain rates and temperatures Y Ou, D Zhu, H Zhang, L Huang, Y Yao, G Li, B Mobasher Polymers 8 (5), 196 , 2016 2016 Citations: 183
Energy storage in structural composites by introducing CNT fiber/polymer electrolyte interleaves E Senokos, Y Ou, JJ Torres, F Sket, C González, R Marcilla, JJ Vilatela Scientific reports 8 (1), 3407 , 2018 2018 Citations: 141
A review on the tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer composites under varying strain rates and temperatures A Ahmed, MZ Rahman, Y Ou, S Liu, B Mobasher, S Guo, D Zhu Construction and Building Materials 294, 123565 , 2021 2021 Citations: 131
Mechanical properties and failure characteristics of CFRP under intermediate strain rates and varying temperatures Y Ou, D Zhu, H Zhang, Y Yao, B Mobasher, L Huang Composites Part B: Engineering 95, 123-136 , 2016 2016 Citations: 113
Understanding interlaminar toughening of unidirectional CFRP laminates with carbon nanotube veils Y Ou, C González, JJ Vilatela Composites Part B: Engineering 201, 108372 , 2020 2020 Citations: 102
Understanding Mode I interlaminar toughening of unidirectional CFRP laminates interleaved with aligned ultrathin CNT fiber veils: Thickness and orientation effects Y Ou, L Wu, X Yi, D Mao Composites Part B: Engineering 254, 110578 , 2023 2023 Citations: 66
Flexural response of basalt textile reinforced concrete with pre-tension and short fibers under low-velocity impact loads S Liu, D Zhu, G Li, Y Yao, Y Ou, C Shi, Y Du Construction and Building Materials 169, 859-876 , 2018 2018 Citations: 53
Enhanced interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional CFRP laminates with tailored microstructural heterogeneity of toughening layer Y Ou, A Fu, L Wu, X Yi, D Mao Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 176, 107872 , 2024 2024 Citations: 45
Strain rate and temperature effects on the dynamic tensile behaviors of basalt fiber bundles and reinforced polymer composite Y Ou, D Zhu, H Li Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 28 (10), 04016101 , 2016 2016 Citations: 45
Improving interlaminar properties of woven carbon fibre composite laminates with industrial-scale carbon nanotube fibre interleaves Y Ou, L Wu, M Hefetz, C Gonzalez, JJ Vilatela Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 164, 107283 , 2023 2023 Citations: 40
Improving corrosion resistance of BFRP bars by coating CNTs modified resin in simulated pore solution of seawater sea sand concrete G Feng, Y Ou, MZ Rahman, L Zhou, H Zhao, Q Chen, D Mao, D Zhu Construction and Building Materials 392, 131945 , 2023 2023 Citations: 38
Impact response of basalt textile reinforced concrete subjected to different velocities and temperatures S Liu, D Zhu, Y Ou, Y Yao, C Shi Construction and Building Materials 175, 381-391 , 2018 2018 Citations: 34
Hierarchical mode I interlaminar toughening of unidirectional CFRP laminates by the synergistic effects of CNT powders and veils Y Ou, L Wu, D Mao Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 168, 107464 , 2023 2023 Citations: 32
The effects of gage length and strain rate on tensile behavior of Kevlar® 29 single filament and yarn Y Ou, D Zhu, M Huang, H Li Journal of Composite Materials 51 (1), 109-123 , 2017 2017 Citations: 29
Damage-tolerant, laminated structural supercapacitor composites enabled by integration of carbon nanotube fibres M Rana, Y Ou, C Meng, F Sket, C González, JJ Vilatela Multifunctional Materials 3 (1), 015001 , 2020 2020 Citations: 26
Significantly improved interfacial and overall mechanical properties of aramid fiber/phenolic resin matrix composite reinforced with short CNT M Wang, J Yong, L Cai, Z Li, Y Ou, L Zhu, X Yi, D Mao Journal of Materials Research and Technology 26, 5225-5235 , 2023 2023 Citations: 25
Short carbon nanotubes: from matrix toughening to interlaminar toughening of CFRP composites Y Weng, L Wu, Y Ou, D Mao Composites Communications 41, 101652 , 2023 2023 Citations: 22
Towards developing advanced CFRP with simultaneously enhanced fracture toughness and in-plane properties via interleaving CNT/PEI hybrid veils Y Weng, K Liu, Y Ou, J Li, D Mao Polymer Composites , 2024 2024 Citations: 21