Effect of carboxyl graphene interface in glass fiber reinforced epoxy nanocomposites

The nanofiller and polymers in a nanocomposites exhibits unique properties attributed to particle size in nanometer, very high surface area and strong interfacial interaction between the matrix and nanofiller. The chemical functionalization of graphene is of critical interest since it can enhance the dissolvability and process capacity as well as improve the connections with organic polymers. Sonication mixing technique were employed to disperse carboxyl graphene with epoxy resin and nanocomposites laminates of 2mm thickness were produced by using hand layup method. The effect of addition of functionalized graphene in glass fiber polymer nanocomposites were studied. It was found that nanofiller with 2wt% addition showed higher flexural strength and flexural modulus than unfilled polymer composites and SEM indicates the better dispersion of nano filler particles by sonication method.