Improvement on mechanical and flame retardancy behaviour of bio-exfoliated graphene-filled epoxy/glass fibre composites using compression moulding approach

• Published in: Polymer bulletin (Berlin, Germany) Germany), 2022-08, Vol.79 (8), p.6289-6307
• Main Authors: Kavimani, V., Gopal, P. M., Sumesh, K. R., Elanchezhian, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Antioxidants; BGO (crystal); Carbon; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Composite materials; Epoxy resins; Fiber composites; Filler materials; Fillers; Flame retardants; Flexural strength; Fracture surfaces; Fracture toughness; Glass fiber reinforced plastics; Glass-epoxy composites; Graphene; Green chemistry; Herbal medicine; Impact strength; Impact tests; Interfacial bonding; Investigations; Morphology; Organic Chemistry; Original Paper; Physical Chemistry; Polymer matrix composites; Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Pressure molding; Reducing agents; Soft and Granular Matter
• ISSN: 0170-0839; 1436-2449
• DOI: 10.1007/s00289-021-03810-x

Bio-reduction of composite materials is the modern approach to facilitate the researchers to avoid toxic chemical exposure during reduction process. In this study, the green reduction of graphene oxide using Abutilon indicum (Tamil name: Thuthi) plant leaves extracted from various solvents were used as green filler material (0.3, 0.6 and 1 wt.%) in glass fibre epoxy composite. Compression moulding process was adopted to fabricate bio-reduced graphene oxide (BGO) filler incorporated polymer matrix composite. Tensile, flexural, toughness, impact test and fracture surface morphology analysis have been conducted over developed composite. Flame retardancy behaviour was studied based on UL94 standard. Outcome of the study revealed that Abutilon indicum act as the better reducing agent to reduce graphene oxide. XRD, FTIR results depicts the proper distortion of graphite flask. Addition of BGO in polymer matrix improvises the tensile, flexural and impact strength of matrix material up to 28%, 55% and 80%. Herein addition of 0.6 wt.% of BGO showcase better fracture toughness and flexural strength, further increment in BGO show negative effect in strength. Occurrence of delamination failure was notified in fracture surface morphology.