A novel and characteristic method is confirmed for enhancing the fibers/resin interfacial strength by growing MnO2 nanosheets on the woven carbon fiber (WCF) using the hydrothermal method for 1 h from 100 to 175 degrees C. An interesting finding is that both the density and length of MnO2 nanosheets are functions of the growth temperature. The optimal growth temperature is 125 degrees C, and the homogeneous and porous MnO2 has greatly improved the wettability between the WCF and the matrix and further results in an improvement of 16.3% and 30.2% in the flexural strength and tensile strength of the composite. And then tribological properties are further improved which can be verified by an obvious increment in dynamic fricition coefficient and a 38.7% reduction in wear rate. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.