Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles are increasingly being used to tailor industrial composites. However, despite the advantages, GO has shown conceivable health risks and toxicity to humans and the environment if released. This study investigates the influence that GO concentrations have on nanoparticle emissions from epoxy-reinforced carbon fiber hybrid composites (EP/CF) during a lifecycle scenario, that is, a drilling process. The mechanical properties are investigated and an automated drilling methodology in which the background noise is eliminated is used for the nanoparticle emissions measurements. Real-time measurements are collected using a condensation particle counter (CPC), a scanning mobility particle sizer spectrometer (SMPS), a real-time fast mobility particle spectrometer (DMS50) and post-test analytical methods. The results observe that all three nanoparticle reinforced samples demonstrated a statistically significant difference of up to a 243% increase in mean peak particle number concentration in comparison to the EP/CF sample. The results offer a novel set of data comparing the nanoparticle release of GO with varying filler weight concentration and correlating it the mechanical influence of the fillers. The results show that the release characteristics and the influence in particle number concentration are primarily dependent on the matrix brittleness and not necessarily the filler weight concentration within the nanocomposite.
Highlights
Over the last couple of decades, epoxy-based (EP) nanocomposites have undergone intensive research and development ensued by their increasing implementation within commercial applications [1]
To quantify quantify only only the the particles released from the sample, the chamber was initially cleared of particles through an particles released from the sample, the chamber was initially cleared of particles through an inflow inflow of of clean clean air air with with the the use use of of TSI
The aim of this study is to investigate the influence Graphene oxide (GO) has on nanoparticle emissions from epoxy-reinforced carbon fiber hybrid composites (EP/CF)
Summary
Over the last couple of decades, epoxy-based (EP) nanocomposites have undergone intensive research and development ensued by their increasing implementation within commercial applications [1]. Carbon-fiber (CF) reinforced-EP composites have become well-established materials within various lightweight applications, most prominently the aeronautical and automotive industry. Nano-sized graphene oxide (GO) has been shown to improve and tailor the EP/CF matrix mechanical properties, as demonstrated in numerous studies [2,3,4,5]. The unique advantages and influence that GO nanoparticles have on the material properties accompany potential exposure to unique toxic effects within biological systems. Carbon-based nanofillers are of particular interest within the nanotoxicity literature due to the exceptional material properties and wide use across industries. GO has demonstrated potential toxicological and/or eco-toxicological hazard [6,7,8,9,10,11]
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