Efficient reinforcement of jute fiber/epoxy composite with Nanosilica@Graphene hybrid filler

This study is primarily focused on the fabrication of nanosilica-decorated graphene oxide (SiO ₂ @GNs) and its role in improving the mechanical behavior of Jute fiber/epoxy laminates. To decorate the GNs surfaces with the silica nanoparticles, tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) was used, and the successful synthesis of the SiO ₂ @GNs nanohybrid was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Further, the influence of adding 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.% GNs or SiO ₂ @GNs on the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and dry-sliding wear behavior of the jute fiber/epoxy composites were explored. The specimens were fabricated using the hand lay-up route. Resultantly, the 3 wt.% SiO ₂ @GNs/jute fiber/epoxy sample showed the highest ILSS and wear resistance. The addition of 3 wt.% SiO ₂ @GNs improved the ILSS of the jute fiber/epoxy by 62%. Besides, reductions of 50% and 78% in the wear rate and coefficient of friction, respectively, were obtained for the sample enhanced with 3 wt.% SiO ₂ @GNs. Interestingly, the mechanical properties of the composites were found to improve significantly through the SiO ₂ -decoration of the GNs. Finally, to find the dominant mechanisms, the fractured and worn surfaces of the composites were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).