Sugarcane waste based synthesized graphene like nanocarbon (GNC) for shock absorption application

Abstract

We report on the synthesis, characterization, and shock absorption characteristics of Graphene like Nano Carbon (GNC) prepared by the combustion of biomass (sugarcane waste) using the Rapid Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (RT-CVD) technique. Post synthesis, the samples were purified by subjecting them to intercalation and annealing. The synthesised GNCs were then characterised by Raman, Infrared, and UV spectroscopy, together with microscopy. In analysis, the GNCs were observed to be rectangular in shape, thick, having sharp edges and corners, and having an area ∼50–200 μm2 with wrinkles on it. TEM images showed that GNCs exhibit smooth wrinkle contours with bits of dark showing conjugated graphene layers stacked together having multiple defects and dislocations. In Raman spectroscopy, D peak is observed at ∼1335 cm−1 and G peak is observed at ∼1591 cm−1 indicating GNC consists of sp2 and sp3 hybridised complex phases. The Crystalline Length (La), Disordered Length (LD) and Defect Density (nD) have been estimated to be 21.26 nm, 9.60 nm and 1.084 × 10−12/cm2 respectively. FTIR spectra revealed that C-C is present at ∼1420 cm−1 and C-O-C is present at 900 cm−1. In Uv measurements, no typical absorption peak was observed due to the micrometre size of GNC. The shock absorption properties of GNCs were investigated by subjecting them to pressure (~1.5 GPa) using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). The obtained mechanical parameters revealed that GNCs absorbed ∼65% of incident energy and ∼15% transmitted, demonstrating their utility in the development of armour, shock and blast mitigating blocks, defense, and space applications.