Preparation of silica‐decorated graphene oxide nanohybrid system as a highly efficient reinforcement for woven jute fabric reinforced epoxy composites

In the current work, silica‐decorated graphene oxide (SiO2@GONPs) nanohybrids were used to reinforce the jute fiber/epoxy (JF/EP) composite. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was utilized to prepare the SiO2@GONPs using a facial route. The results of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy, and elemental X‐ray mapping confirmed the successful synthesis of SiO2@GONPs nanohybrids. Herein, the effects of SiO2@GONPs loading (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt%) on the mechanical behavior of the JF/EP composite were investigated with emphasis on the flexural and high‐velocity impact properties. The results revealed that reinforcement of matrix with 0.3 wt% SiO2@GONPs enhanced the flexural strength of the JF/EP composite by about 40%. The energy absorption capability and impact limit velocity of the 0.3 wt% SiO2@GONPs‐filled JF/EP composite were 61 and 28%, respectively, higher than those of the neat specimen. Compared to the untreated‐GONPs, the SiO2@GONPs nanohybrid demonstrated an evident superiority in improving the mechanical properties of the JF/EP composite at the same loading. Evaluation of the fracture surfaces of the multiscale composites revealed that the improved fiber‐matrix interfacial bonding was the basic mechanism of fracture in these specimens.