Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Polyethylene-Based Nanocomposites using Graphene Nanosheets, Jute Fiber and Polyethylene-Grafted Maleic Anhydride: An RSM Approach

Abstract

The mechanical properties of nanocomposites made of jute fiber, Polyethylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride (PGMA) and Polyethylene (PE) reinforced with Graphene (Gr) nanosheets were examined in this study. These three constituents were combined using an internal mixer in conjunction with a hot press machine. All of the samples had different concentrations of graphene nanosheets (0%, 0.8% and 1.6% wt.), jute fibers (0%, 8% and 16% wt.) and PGMA (0%, 4% and 8% wt.). All of the samples maintained the same fiber length of 5 mm. Tensile, flexural and impact strengths were assessed. Making a nanocomposite mix with ideal mechanical characteristics is the goal of this work. The experimental design utilised a Box-Behnken (BBD) framework-based Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Adding 1% wt. Gr nanosheets increased the Flexural Strength (FS) by 30%, Tensile Strength (TS) by 22% and the Impact Strength (IS) by 25%. Nevertheless, these strengths were diminished at concentrations as high as 1.6% wt. Gr nanosheets, when added up to 1.6% wt., raised the elastic modulus (ES) by 76%. Adding jute fiber up to 21% wt. increased ES by 30%, TS by 90%, FS by 18% and IS by 17%. The addition of PGMA improved the adhesion and dispersion, enhancing the compatibility of Gr nanosheets and jute fibers. TS increased by 18% and ES by 81% with the addition of 6% wt.. Both the FS and IS were enhanced by 16% and 11%, respectively, with 5% wt. PGMA. After considering all of the experimental results, the blends' ideal values for TS, FS, IS and ES were determined to be 33.9 MPa, 62.53 MPa, 102 J/m and 4.2 GPa, respectively. SEM analysis confirmed the internal matrix organisation of Gr nanosheets, PGMA and jute fibers.