Development and analysis of Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticle-infused sisal fiber reinforced hybrid polymer composites for high-performance sound absorption and thermal insulation applications

• Published in: Industrial crops and products Vol. 222; p. 119763
• Main Authors: Swain, Pankaj Kumar, Rout, Arun kumar, Singh, Jitesh Kumar, Sahoo, Dibakar, Mishra, Srimant Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.12.2024
• Subjects: Fe-doped ZnO; Hybrid composites; Nanoparticles; Sisal fiber; Sound absorption; Hybrid composites; Nanoparticles; Fe-doped ZnO; Sisal fiber; Sound absorption
• ISSN: 0926-6690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.119763

In the current study, sisal fiber-reinforced hybrid composites have been developed by integrating a bidirectional mat with a blend of epoxy using Fe-doped ZnO (IDZO) nanoparticles at concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 wt%. Hand-lay-up approach was used to create the composites. The composites were characterized through a comprehensive analysis of their density, water absorption, elasticity, thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical resistance, thermal conductivity, microhardness, and propagation of sound properties, including sound absorption coefficients and sound transmission class ratings. As filler loading increased, the bio-composite sample’s hardness increased under the density and void volume fraction values, with 0.8 wt% composite sample showing the superior micro-hardness. A positive correlation was observed between the ZnO nanoparticle weight percentage and thermal conductivity, with improve nanoparticle content leading to improved thermal performance. Composites containing 0.4 wt percent nanoparticles showed superior tensile strength (66.8–84.16 MPa), flexural strength (97.69–120.02 MPa) and flexural modulus (3.56–7.68 GPa). It has been observed that the weight percentage of IDZO filler greatly influences the sound absorption efficiency of the current composites. These findings highlight the promising potential of these novel biocomposites in advanced engineering applications, emphasizing their usefulness in demanding environments with biodegradability and high-performance thermal, mechanical, and acoustic properties. Based on the sound transmission class ratings, the sisal fiber biocomposites have been regarded as great adoptions for use as sound-absorbing materials such as wall partitions, doors, enclosures, and structural components, thermal insulation systems, and electrical insulation. [Display omitted] •IDZO-sisal fiber-reinforced nanocomposites developed for this research.•Fe-doped ZnO (IDZO) preparation techniques evaluated.•IDZO nanoparticles employed at weight percent of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8.•The influence of Fe-doped ZnO on the properties of nanocomposites studied.•Analysis and characteristics of IDZO-sisal fiber nanocomposites investigated.