No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Graphene is a potential reinforcing material for polymeric materials due to high aspect ratio, surface area, electrical and mechanical properties. In this work thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) composites were developed using combined solution mixing and melt mixing techniques. The effect of wt. % of pristine graphite and TRGO on the mechanical and thermal properties of composites was studied. Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared from graphite powder using improved Hummersʹ method followed by thermal reduction to obtain TRGO. Characterization of GO, TRGO and asdeveloped ABS composites was performed using Fourier Transmission Infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, differential scanning calorimetery and thermo gravimetric analysis. Tensile properties were determined by testing injection molded dumbbell shaped samples. The results showed that tensile properties of TRGO/ABS composites increased significantly at 0.2 wt. % loading compared to corresponding graphite/ABS composites. However, increased content of both fillers decreased mechanical properties of the composites. TRGO, at 0.2 wt. % loading, increased glass transition temperature of ABS by ca.7 °C. TRGO neither increased nor decreased thermal stability of ABS composites. This study showed that combined solution and melt mixing technique can significantly improve dispersion of TRGO in ABS matrix.

This work aims to develop and characterize graphene oxide (GO) and glass fiber (GF)-based hybrid epoxy composites. Graphite oxide was synthesized by improved Hummers' method, and it was uniformly dispersed in ethanol by ultra-sonication to form GO suspension. Later, GO and GF-based hybrid epoxy composites were prepared by hand layup method followed by curing under compression to develop composite sheets accordingly to the ASTM standards (D3039 & D6110-18). Fourier transform infrared spectra of the neat and the GF-based hybrid epoxy composites confirmed the formation of improved interface between GO/epoxy and silane coating present on GF surface, which is well validated with the given reaction schematic. Scanning electron microscope and elemental mapping results corroborate our point that the GO filled the voids and empty spaces and lessened the water absorption properties of the composite which is much needed for the application of composites at high altitudes and marine environment. Effect of GO content on mechanical properties of prepared composites was studied by varying the GO content from 0.1 to 1.2 wt%. Mechanical characterization of GO and GF-based hybrid epoxy composites were carried out by tensile and impact testing. Ultimate tensile strength,