Abstract
Natural fibers composites are considered as a sustainable alternative to synthetic composites due to their environmental and economic benefits. However, they suffer from poor mechanical and interfacial properties due to a random fiber orientation and weak fiber–matrix interface. Here we report nanoengineered graphene-based natural jute fiber preforms with a new fiber architecture (NFA) which significantly improves their mechanical properties and performances. Our graphene-based NFA of jute fiber preform enhances the Young modulus of jute–epoxy composites by ∼324% and tensile strength by ∼110% more than untreated jute fiber composites, by arranging fibers in a parallel direction through individualization and nanosurface engineering with graphene derivatives. This could potentially lead to manufacturing of high-performance natural alternatives to synthetic composites in various stiffness-driven applications.
Highlights
Natural fiber reinforced composites (FRC) have been the focus of much attention over recent years due to their potential to replace environmentally unfriendly synthetic FRC.[1]
The fiber volume fraction (Vf) of FRC has a significant effect on mechanical properties of the composites materials.[34]
Jute fiber composites suffer from relatively lower Vf (∼23%) during the vacuum infusion process like other natural fiber composites and may be due to the presence of impurities and interfibrillar arrangement in the fiber
Summary
Natural fiber reinforced composites (FRC) have been the focus of much attention over recent years due to their potential to replace environmentally unfriendly synthetic FRC.[1]. We report that the coating of graphene materials (GO and G flakes) onto jute fibers enhanced interfacial shear strength and tensile strength of individual fibers by ∼236% and ∼96%, respectively.[6] the main challenge is how we could translate such excellent properties achieved on individual fibers to a jute fiber reinforced composite for real world applications. We address this challenge by reporting a novel strategy to manufacture the generation of natural fiber reinforced composites by combining physical and chemical modification of jute fibers preforms. Obtained tensile and specific properties of as prepared jute fibers composites were compared with that of glass and flax fibers and with results reported in the literatures for surface-modified natural fibers
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