Preparation of silica-decorated graphene oxide nanohybrid system as a highly efficient reinforcement for woven jute fabric reinforced epoxy composites

In the current work, silica-decorated graphene oxide (SiO2@GONPs) nanohybrids were used to reinforce the jute fiber/epoxy (JF/EP) composite. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was utilized to prepare the SiO2@GONPs using a facial route. The results of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy, and elemental X-ray mapping confirmed the successful synthesis of SiO2@GONPs nanohybrids. Herein, the effects of SiO2@GONPs loading (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt%) on the mechanical behavior of the JF/EP composite were investigated with emphasis on the flexural and high-velocity impact properties. The results revealed that reinforcement of matrix with 0.3 wt% SiO2@GONPs enhanced the flexural strength of the JF/EP composite by about 40%. The energy absorption capability and impact limit velocity of the 0.3 wt% SiO2@GONPs-filled JF/EP composite were 61 and 28%, respectively, higher than those of the neat specimen. Compared to the untreated-GONPs, the SiO2@GONPs nanohybrid demonstrated an evident superiority in improving the mechanical properties of the JF/EP composite at the same loading. Evaluation of the fracture surfaces of the multiscale composites revealed that the improved fiber-matrix interfacial bonding was the basic mechanism of fracture in these specimens.

Automated summary

In this study, SiO2@GONPs nanohybrids were utilized to reinforce JF/EP composite, with 0.3 wt% loading showing significant improvements in flexural strength and impact properties. The SiO2@GONPs nanohybrid demonstrated superiority over untreated GONPs in enhancing the mechanical properties of the JF/EP composite at the same loading level.