Investigation of physiochemical and mechanical properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified carbon fiber polymer composites

Abstract

In this research article, the influence of dispersing the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite is evaluated through viscoelastic properties (dynamic mechanical analysis), tensile strength, and impact resistance analysis. Firstly, the rGO-dispersed epoxy resins were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analytical techniques to interpret rGO and epoxy compatibility. Later, the rGO-dispersed CFRP (rGO/CFRPs) composites were developed by utilizing the vacuum-assisted-resin-transfer-molding (VARTM) procedure aided with hydraulic compression. At 1.0%wt. of rGO reinforcement, the CFRP composites demonstrated the most excellent thermo-mechanical properties, viz. storage modulus, tensile strength, and impact energy absorption, with an improvement of ≅80%, 42%, and 88%, respectively, with respect to pristine CFRP composite specimens. The damage and fracture surface morphologies of the post-tested specimens were examined through FE-SEM to evaluate the irregularities and dispersibility of rGO/CFRPs for the enhancements.