Hybrid composites of short acetylated kenaf bast fiber and conducting polyaniline nanowires in epoxy resin

Abstract

This article reports the preparation and characterization of newly developed hybrid composites consisting of epoxy resin (EP) matrix, acetylated kenaf bast fiber (AKF) and conducting polyaniline (PANI) nanowires. Initially, the EP/AKF composites were prepared by varying the AKF loading (5–30 wt%). The EP/AKF displayed an optimum tensile strength at 20 wt% AKF loading which was higher than that of untreated kenaf fiber EP composites (EP/UKF). The hybrid composites of EP/AKF/PANI were then prepared by using 20 wt% AKF loading with PANI inclusions from 2 to 14 wt%. The addition of PANI into EP/AKF induced positive electrical properties without considerably sacrificing its mechanical integrity. It was found that the electrical percolation threshold of these hybrid composites was at 11 wt% of PANI loading. PANI inclusions at above the percolation loading resulted in reduction of tensile and flexural strength. Meanwhile, no significant mechanical loss was observed below the threshold. The fracture morphological analysis revealed the occurrences of PANI nanowires pull out from the matrix. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the PANI component still maintained its doped condition inside the EP/20AKF. Water absorption and thermal analysis indicate that the PANI incorporation induced lower water uptakes and greater thermal stability to the EP/20AKF, respectively.

<i>In Situ</i> Deposition of Conducting Polymer onto Pineapple Leaf Fiber

“…The minimal decline in tensile strength is mainly caused by the inherently poor mechanical properties of PANI and difference in crystallinity/polarity of the two surfaces (PANI and PALF). Similar outcome was observed for other types of PANI coated cellulosic fibers [7,8]. In this case, the drop in tensile strength however is limited by the mechanical interlocking between them.…”

“…Combining natural fiber with PANI is a good strategy to obtain electrically conductive fiber having good mechanical properties. Our recent works on PANI modified natural fiber (kenaf) have shown promising properties and applications [7,8,9,10,11]. Thus the main aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of PANI coating on the tensile strength and electrical conductivity of PALF.…”

The property of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene‐based conductive composites filled by nickel‐coated carbon fiber and nickel–graphite powder

“…In the same year, Saiful lzwan Abd Razak et al also researched the effect of natural fiber (kenaf core) coated with polyaniline on the electrical and mechanical properties of EP/KC‐PANI. In the next year, other conductive composites were studied by them as well .…”