Toward Sustainable Composites: Graphene-Modified Jute Fiber Composites with Bio-Based Epoxy Resin

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Composite Materials
• Sustainable Engineering

Background:

• Growing environmental concerns drive demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional synthetic fiber composites.
• Petroleum-based resins contribute significantly to carbon footprint; bio-based resins offer a promising alternative.
• Current bio-based epoxy composites often lack sufficient mechanical properties for broad applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate high-performance composites using jute fibers and bio-based epoxy resin.
• To improve mechanical properties of Jute/Bio-epoxy (J/BE) composites through fiber modification and graphene reinforcement.
• To explore the potential of graphene-enhanced jute fiber composites as sustainable, high-performance materials.

Main Methods:

• Jute fibers were modified using physical and chemical treatments to enhance fiber volume fraction and matrix adhesion.
• Graphene nanoplates (GNP) and graphene oxide (GO) were incorporated into the Jute/Bio-epoxy composite system.
• Mechanical properties (tensile, flexural strength, and modulus) of the fabricated composites were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Physical and chemical treatments significantly improved jute fiber integration and adhesion within the bio-epoxy matrix.
• The incorporation of GNP and GO led to notable increases in the tensile and flexural strength of the J/BE composites.
• Enhanced mechanical performance was achieved, demonstrating the effectiveness of the modification strategies.

Conclusions:

• Graphene-enhanced jute fiber reinforced bio-based epoxy composites offer a sustainable and high-performance material solution.
• The developed composites have the potential to reduce the environmental impact associated with conventional materials.
• This research contributes to advancing sustainable composite materials for diverse applications.