Effects of Alkaline and Carboxilated Graphene Oxide (CGO) Treatment on Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Properties of Jute Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Chowdhury, Hironmoy, Saha, Atik, Hasan, Mahbub and Haider, Julfikar ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7010-8285 (2025) Effects of Alkaline and Carboxilated Graphene Oxide (CGO) Treatment on Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Properties of Jute Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites. Journal of Composites Science, 9 (3). 104.

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Abstract

Sustainable and eco-friendly materials are vital for structural and energy storage applications. Synthetic fiber composites have long been utilized, but their high manufacturing cost and negative environmental impacts are concerning. This study aims to enhance the mechanical strength, thermal stability and electrical conductivity of jute fiber–reinforced epoxy composites by hand-lay-up technique with fiber surface modification with alkali (KOH) and carboxilated graphene oxide (CGO). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed fiber surface modification and the presence of CGO particles over the fiber surface. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to analyze the thermal stability and crystallinity of the samples. The electrical conductivity was measured by an electrometer, and the mechanical properties were assessed through tensile and flexural strength tests. Alkaline and CGO-treated jute fiber epoxy composites exhibited remarkable enhancement in mechanical properties, which were attributed to improved fiber-matrix interfacial bonding. Electrical conductivity also improved significantly. However, a trade-off between mechanical and electrical properties, particularly due to the susceptibility of cellulose to alkaline treatment, warrants optimizing the performance of the composites. The developed composites would be suitable for industrial applications where improved mechanical properties, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity are required.