Effects of graphene nanoparticles with organic wood particles: A synergistic effect on the structural, physical, thermal, and mechanical behavior of hybrid composites

Abstract

AbstractDevelopment of sustainable and lighter‐weight materials with low or zero carbon footprint is the major research field in 21st century. The current research has been focused on the development of hybrid composite materials from organic wood particles and graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) along with epoxy resin as matrix material. A constant 5% weight percentage of wood particles has been maintained, while GNPs weight percentages have been varied from 0% to 1% by weight with an equal interval of 0.25. The effects of GNPs addition on wood particle reinforced epoxy composite have been examined by performing different structural, physical, mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical testings. The addition of GNPs up to 0.75% resulted in the increment of 28% hardness, 42.04% tensile strength, 34.24% flexural strength, 22.47% impact strength, and 16.3% fracture toughness, and 129.61% conductivity compared with wood composites (GPC‐0.0). Similar observations have been observed for dynamic mechanical analysis where, the GPC‐0.75 composites recorded maximum storage modulus (2.54 GPa), viscous modulus (0.27 GPa), and glass transition temperature (97°C). Further increments of graphene percentage (GPC‐1.0) resulted in agglomeration between particles and revealed decrements properties. The structural analysis of wood particles and GNPs have been examined with X‐ray diffractometer, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The developed composites showed better interfacial bonds between matrix and reinforcements that reduce the void and moisture contents as well as improved the fracture behavior. Therefore, these filter‐hybrid composites may be used for energy harvesting, solar cells, electronic gadgets, sensor, and heating equipment.