High-Performance Graphene-Based Natural Fiber Composites

Sarker, Forkan; Karim, Nazmul; Afroj, Shaila; Koncherry, Vivek; Novoselov, Kostya S.; Potluri, Prasad

Abstract

© 2018 American Chemical Society. Natural fiber composites are attracting significant interest due to their potential for replacing synthetic composites at lower cost with improved environmental sustainability. However, natural fiber composites suffer from poor mechanical and interfacial properties. Here, we report coating of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene flakes (G) onto natural jute fibers to improve mechanical and interfacial properties. The coating of graphene materials onto jute fibers enhanced interfacial shear strength by ∼236% and tensile strength by ∼96% more than untreated fibers by forming either bonding (GO) or mechanical interlocking (G) between fibers and graphene-based flakes. This could lead to manufacturing of high-performance and environmental friendly natural fiber composites that can potentially replace synthetic composites in numerous applications, such as the automotive industry, naval vessels, household products, and even in the aerospace industry.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 17, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Sep 17, 2018
• Publication Date: Oct 10, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 8, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 9, 2019
• Journal: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
• Print ISSN: 1944-8244
• Electronic ISSN: 1944-8252
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 40
• Pages: 34502-34512
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.8b13018
• Keywords: natural fibers; jute fibers; composites; graphene; graphene oxide; interfacial shear strength and tensile properties
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/4789644