Synthesis and characterization of bulk mechanical properties of a bio-based resin filled by graphene nanoplatelets and cellulose nanocrystals

Abstract

In the present paper, a novel bio-based resin derived from epichlorohydrin was reinforced by Graphene NanoPlatelets (GNPs) and Cellulose NanoCrystals (CNCs) in different weight ratios and characterized experimentally through tension tests and fracture toughness tests on bulk specimens. The nanofillers were applied separately. The experimental results showed that the neat resin has a Young’s modulus of 3.29 GPa, a tensile strength of 45.15 MPa, a stress intensity factor of 0.61 MPa m1/2 and a critical strain energy release rate of 0.091 kJ/m2. The level of the properties reveal that the bio-based adhesive can be used for cosmetic and for some structural applications. The addition of cellulose nanocrystals in the epoxy resin didn’t improve the mechanical properties of the neat resin mainly due to the development of intense aggregation of cellulose nanocrystals. On the other hand, the addition of graphene has led to the increase of the Young’s modulus and the fracture toughness and to the decrease of the tension strength of the resin. Development of agglomerations of graphene were also present in this case. The contradictory findings on the mechanical properties of the reinforced resin gives a clear message about the need for optimizing the manufacturing process. Both nanocomposites have undergone a complete life-cycle analysis which has shown that they are far more environmentally friendly than a conventional epoxy resin.