Flexible bioinspired epoxy composites reinforced with graphene oxide and leather fiber
Source abstract
Abstract
This study reports the development of a novel epoxy flexible sheet reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) and leather fiber (LF) to enhance mechanical strength and thermal stability while maintaining flexibility. The formulation eliminates solvents, incorporates polyphenol additives, and utilizes collagen-rich LF from waste leather, ensuring both eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Physicochemical analyses confirmed hydrogen-bond-mediated interactions and uniform matrix integration. The composite exhibited a 45% increase in compressive strength (32.8 MPa against 22.5 MPa), improved elongation at break (7.6% against 4.8%), and a tougher stress–strain response than the control. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed enhanced thermal resistance with residual char yields exceeding 18% against 12% in the control. These results validate the potential of the LF–GO hybrid reinforcement for next-generation flexible composites with promising applications in wearables, structural coatings, and flexible electronics.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Fiber-reinforced polymer composites · Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies · Graphene research and applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Saveetha University Nano-Bioproduct Research Lab (NBRL), Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), , Chennai,
References (21)
Show source-provided references
1. Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites10.1016/j.pmatsci.2017.07.004 ↗
2. Recent applications of carbon-based composites in defence industry: a review10.1016/j.dt.2022.03.006 ↗
3. Hybrid bionanocomposites as the advancements in biomedical utility10.1016/j.hybadv.2024.100365 ↗
4. Review of shape-memory polymer nanocomposites and their applications10.3390/app15052419 ↗
5. Review of epoxy nano-filled hybrid nanocomposite coatings for tribological applications10.1016/j.flatc.2024.100768 ↗
6. The functional graphene/epoxy resin composites prepared by novel two-phase extraction towards enhancing mechanical properties and thermal stability10.3389/fchem.2024.1433727 ↗
7. Leather fibres as reinforcement for epoxy composites: a novel perspective10.1007/s12221-015-0181-z ↗
8. Improved synthesis of graphene oxide10.1021/nn1006368 ↗
9. Pioneering clean water solutions: how cutting-edge resin-based 3D printing is driving sustainable remediation10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01525 ↗
10. Facile synthesis of graphene oxide via equivalent Hummers’ method: comprehensive characterizations and analysis10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100626 ↗
11. Synthesis and characterization of DOPO modified tetraglycidyl eugenol cyclic siloxane resins cured with tannic acid10.1002/mame.202400342 ↗
12. Combination of metal-polyphenol hybrid interfacial engineering and flocculation assembly strategy to boost the fire retardancy and smoke/toxicity suppression of polyurethane foam10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111587 ↗
13. Study on the characteristics of novel fiber extracted from foxtail palm fruits – a steps towards the sustainable development10.1016/j.matlet.2024.137145 ↗
14. Study on enhancing mechanical and thermal properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite through zinc oxide nanofiller
15. An extensive review on bibliometric analysis of carbon nanostructure reinforced composites10.1016/j.rinma.2024.100655 ↗
16. Miscibility, thermal degradation and rheological analysis of epoxy/MABS blends
17. Featuring with nano alumina made hybrid epoxy/carbon fiber nanocomposite: performance evaluation10.1007/s40033-024-00754-0 ↗
18. Performance enhancement on hybrid composite using multiwall carbon nanotubes for prosthetic sockets
19. Physical, thermal transport, and compressive properties of epoxy composite filled with graphitic- and ceramic-based thermally conductive nanofillers10.3390/polym14051014 ↗
20. Dual-function epoxy nanocomposite coatings with GNP and polysulphide for mechanical protection and rain erosion resistance10.1016/j.porgcoat.2025.109598 ↗
21. Toughening epoxy resins: recent advances in network architectures and rheological behavior10.1016/j.polymer.2025.128770 ↗