Effect of mercerized wood dust and GNPs on thermal and tensile properties of epoxy composites

In this study, the alkaline treatment of wood dust with the help of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was performed and mixed with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) to prepare epoxy composites. The matrix system used was two-part standard epoxy araldite (AW106 & HV953) and the weight percentage of wood dust as well as GNPs was varied to investigate their effect on thermal and mechanical properties. The change in molecular architecture after alkali treatment on wood dust was examined with the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical behavior was tested on a universal testing machine and thermal behavior was tested by thermo gravimetric analysis. The fracture surfaces were examined by field emission scanning electron microscope. Results indicate that addition of wood dust up to 2.5 wt.% concentration improves mechanical properties of epoxy composite and addition of GNPs up to 0.5 wt.% improves thermal as well as mechanical behaviour of the composite. The addition of GNPs provides good compatibility and surface structure to make uniform mixing of the nanoparticles. Hence, wood dust provides good option to make bio-composites with better and enhanced properties.