Investigating the Water Resistance and Structural Stability of Hemp‐Glass Fiber Polymer Composites Reinforced With Graphene and MXene Nanofillers

ABSTRACT In this study, the chemical composition, water resistance and structural stability of hemp‐glass fiber polymer composites are presented. Hemp‐glass fiber polymer composites reinforced with Graphene/MXene hybrid nanofiller were prepared by using a hand layup technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were carried out to examine material composition and fiber–polymer interactions for various composite configurations such as hemp fiber (H), glass and hemp fiber (G/H), glass and hemp fiber with graphene nanofiller (G/H‐G) and glass and hemp fiber with MXene nanofiller reinforced epoxy composite (G/H‐M). Water absorption studies were performed using various media including distilled water, salt water, HCl and NaOH solutions. The FTIR results showed that the most significant peak was observed at 3425 cm ⁻¹ , attributed to the stretching vibration of the hydroxyl (OH) functional group, indicating the presence of hydrogen bonds between the fibers and the polymer matrix. XRD showed that all the composites were semi‐crystalline. Water absorption tests showed that graphene nanofillers effectively reduced moisture absorption in distilled and salt water, while MXene nanofillers exhibited exceptional chemical stability, especially in alkaline and acidic environments. These results highlight the important role of 2D nanofillers in enhancing the durability and stability of hybrid fiber composites. Furthermore, the results demonstrate the practical significance of these composites for use in composite structures where chemical stability and moisture resistance are crucial, such as in marine structures, automotive components, and construction materials, thereby enhancing their lifespan and reliability under challenging operating conditions.