Synergistic improvement of epoxy derived polymer composites reinforced with Graphene Oxide (GO) plus Titanium di oxide(TiO2)

• Published in: Composites. Part B, Engineering Vol. 191; p. 107911
• Main Authors: Kavimani, V., Soorya Prakash, K., Thankachan, Titus, Udayakumar, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.06.2020
• Subjects: Epoxy; Fracture surface; Mechanical strength; TiO2; GO; Fracture surface; Epoxy; Mechanical strength; TiO2
• ISSN: 1359-8368; 1879-1069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.107911

This technical article top up in presenting the research over composites consisting of Graphene oxide(GO), Titanium di oxide (TiO2), epoxy resins along with a known curing agent. Therefore, common influences of GO as well TiO2 substances upon the curing process of epoxy systems all along with thermo-mechanical performances of GO-TiO2 epoxy composites were conversed in detail. Herein, assimilation of GO particles resulted to accelerate the curing process of epoxy systems. GO-TiO2 epoxy composites were found to be capable of increasing ultimate tensile strength by up to 59%, flexural strength by 79%, and notable increment in their mechanical properties too was evident while compared with the outcomes of unmodified epoxy based thermosets developed for the purpose. Fracture surface along with tensile properties were made experiential by the way of field-emission SEM and further observations over these micrographs shows in for the occurrence of ductile fracture mechanism with respect to GO addition. Thermal analysis results make public that decomposition temperature of developed composite was up to 470 °C.