Effect of microwave-reduced graphene oxide on the mechanical, thermal, and physical properties of banana fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 824 - 837, 31.07.2025

Yasin Altın

https://doi.org/10.61112/jiens.1731536

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into enhancing the mechanical and thermal performance of banana fiber-reinforced epoxy composites through the incorporation of microwave-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a nanofiller. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized from graphite powder via the improved Hummers’ method. Its successful synthesis and subsequent reduction to rGO were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Raman analysis revealed a characteristic increase in the defect ratio (ID/IG) from 0.12 for pristine graphite to 0.896 for GO, and further to 0.963 for rGO. This trend indicates the formation of numerous, smaller sp² domains upon reduction, a key factor for effective reinforcement. Composite laminates were fabricated by hand lay-up with rGO loadings of 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 wt.%. Mechanical and thermal properties were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the effect of rGO is highly dependent on concentration. For tensile properties, the optimal performance was achieved at 0.2 wt.% rGO, while flexural properties were maximized at 0.5 wt.%. Physical property analysis revealed a decrease in composite density with increasing reinforcement content, a trend attributed to the inherent porosity (lumen) of the banana fibers themselves. Optical microscopy images confirmed the homogeneous distribution of fibers in the matrix, a key factor for composite performance. This research highlights the complex role of rGO in natural fiber composites and underscores the importance of optimizing filler content for specific application requirements.

Keywords

Banana fiber , Epoxy composites , Reduced graphene oxide , Microwave reduction , Mechanical properties , Natural fiber reinforcement

Thanks

The authors would like to extend their special thanks to Dr. Sibel Tuna and Zeynep Aksoy for their valuable assistance in performing the Raman spectroscopy analysis.

References

• Luz FSD, Garcia Filho FDC, Gómez del-Río MT et al (2020) Graphene-incorporated natural fiber polymer composites: a first overview. Polymers 12(7):1601. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12071601
• Sanjay MR, Madhu P, Jawaid M et al (2018) Characterization and properties of natural fiber polymer composites: A comprehensive review. Journal of Cleaner Production 172:566-581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.101
• Pickering, KL, Efendy, MA, Le, TM (2016) A review of recent developments in natural fibre composites and their mechanical performance. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 83:98-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.08.038
• Verma G, Goel R, Kaur N et al (2025) Understanding behaviour of graphene in natural fibre composites: a comprehensive review. European Polymer Journal 232:113959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.113959
• Peças P, Carvalho H, Salman H, Leite M (2018) Natural Fibre Composites and Their Applications: A Review. Journal of Composites Science 2(4):66. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs2040066
• Sapuan SM, Leenie A, Harimi M, Beng YK (2006) Mechanical properties of woven banana fibre reinforced epoxy composites. Materials and Design 27(8):689-693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2005.03.028
• Assis FS, Monteiro SN, Margem FM, Loiola RL (2014) Charpy toughness behavior of continuous banana fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites. In: Carpenter J S et al (ed) Characterization of minerals, metals, and materials, Springer, Cham, (pp. 499-506). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118888056.ch58
• Kumar SCR, Shivanand HK, Vidayasagar HN, Nagabhushan V (2018) Studies on mechanical properties of graphene based hybrid composites reinforced with kenaf/glass fiber. AIP Conference Proceedings 1943:020115. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5050735
• Papageorgiou DG, Kinloch IA, Young RJ (2017) Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites. Progress in Materials Science, 90:75-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2017.02.003
• Arunkumar K, Murugarajan A (2022) Investigation of mechanical properties and free vibration behavior of graphene/basalt nano filler banana/sisal hybrid composite. Polymers and Polymer Composites 30. https://doi.org/10.1177/09673911211066719
• Bharadiya PS, Singh MK, Mishra S (2019) Influence of graphene oxide on mechanical and hydrophilic properties of epoxy/banana fiber composites. JOM 71(2):838–843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-018-3239-8
• Görür M, Özel Ş, Olgun A, Tiritoğlu M (2024) An adhesive composite material from magnetite and a methacrylate copolymer with epoxy and PEG side groups. ChemistrySelect 9(48):e202402390. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202402390
• Gupta US, Tiwari S, Sharma U (2023) Influence of low-pressure Ar plasma modification of Musa sapientum banana fibers on banana fiber reinforced epoxy composite. Composite Interfaces 30(8):877-898. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243046.2019.1709679
• Kaliyaperumal G, Nedunchezhiyan M, Natesan P et al (2023) Recycle of bio-waste banana and sisal fiber filled harmlessness epoxy hybrid composite for automotive roof application. Environmental Quality Management 33(1):165-171. https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.22039
• Özen S, Benlioğlu A, Mardani A, Altın Y, Bedeloğlu A (2024) Effect of graphene oxide-coated jute fiber on mechanical and durability properties of concrete mixtures. Construction and Building Materials 448:138225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138225
• Novoselov KS, Geim AK, Morozov SV, Jiang, D et al (2004) Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films. Science 306(5696):666-669. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1102896
• Stankovich S, Dikin DA, Piner RD et al (2007) Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets via chemical reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide. Carbon 45(7):1558-1565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2007.02.034
• Altin Y, Yilmaz H, Unsal OF, Bedeloglu AC (2020) Graphene oxide modified carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Journal of Polymer Engineering 40(5):415-420. https://doi.org/10.1515/polyeng-2020-0033
• Bharadiya PS, Puri RG, Mishra S (2024) Enriched mechanical properties of graphite nanoplatelets filled epoxy resin-plant fiber nanocomposites. Polymer Bulletin 81:4275–4289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-023-04938-z
• Jakhar R, Yap JE, Joshi R (2020) Microwave reduction of graphene oxide. Carbon 170:277-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2020.01.056
• Xie X, Zhou Y, Huang K (2019) Advances in microwave-assisted production of reduced graphene oxide. Frontiers in Chemistry 7:355. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2019.00355
• Marcano DC, Kosynkin DV, Berlin JM et al (2010) Improved synthesis of graphene oxide. ACS Nano 4(8):4806-4814. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn1006368
• Ikramullah Rizal S, Nakai Y, Shiozawa D, Khalil HA, Huzni S, Thalib S (2019) Evaluation of interfacial fracture toughness and interfacial shear strength of Typha spp. fiber/polymer composite by double shear test method. Materials 12(14):2225. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12142225
• Abu Bakar AA, Zainuddin MZ, Abdullah SM, Tamchek N et al (2022) The 3D printability and mechanical properties of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as additives in urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) blends polymer for medical application. Polymers 14(21):4518. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214518
• Joshi R, Bajpai PK, Mukhopadhyay S (2023) Processing and performance evaluation of agro wastes reinforced bio-based epoxy hybrid composites. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part L: Journal of Materials: Design and Applications 237(2):482-499. https://doi.org/10.1177/09544062221125105
• Aminullah A, Syed Mustafa SJ, Nor Azlan MR, Mohd Hafizi N, Mohd Ishak ZA, Rozman HD (2010) Effect of filler composition and incorporation of additives on the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites with high loading lignocellulosic materials. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 29(20):3115-3124. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684410381490
• Dobrosielska M, Dobrucka R, Kozera P, Brząkalski D et al (2023) Beeswax as a natural alternative to synthetic waxes for fabrication of PLA/diatomaceous earth composites. Scientific Reports 13(1):1161. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29708-5
• Fronza BM, Ayres APA, Pacheco RR, Rueggeberg FA, Dias CTDS, Giannini M (2017) Characterization of inorganic filler content, mechanical properties, and light transmission of bulk-fill resin composites. Operative Dentistry 42(4):445-455. https://doi.org/10.2344/oper-16-113
• Rath SK, Prusty RK (2021) Review on thermal stability and fire-retardant properties of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Polymer Composites 42(4):1547-1572. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.32800
• Papageorgiou DG, Kinloch IA, Young RJ (2017) Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites. Progress in Materials Science 90:75-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2017.02.003