Performance Improvement of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composites Upon Integrating with N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane Functionalized Graphene Oxide

Surface tuned GO sheets are considered the opportune pothunter for the reinforcement of conventional glass fiber reinforced composites (GFRCs). Herein, we have tried to disseminate the effects of N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane functionalized GO (GO-AEAPTS) and pristine GO sheets on thermo-mechanical properties of epoxy/glass fiber composites. Fourier Transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the GO sheets. Multiscale composites integrated with GO-AEAPTS (1.5 wt%) provided maximum gain in all the studied properties i.e., interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), impact strength and thermal conductivity were improved by ~ 55, ~ 24 and ~ 70%, respectively. Storage modulus and glass transition temperature increased by ~ 44% and 14 °C, over the neat GFRC. In addition, GO-AEAPTS composites exhibited higher coefficient of effectiveness and crosslink density than those of GO counterparts. These property enhancements were credited to the homogeneous distribution of GO sheets, strong interfacial interactions (interfacial covalent interactions and hydrogen bonding) between GO-AEAPTS and epoxy resin as well as good fiber/matrix compatibility. Such multiscale composites with functional properties can outperform conventional counterparts with improved safety and reliability of structures and reduce maintenance costs.