Development of Nanoparticle-enhanced Luffa Fiber Bio-Epoxy Composites with Improved Thermo-mechanical Performance
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 15, No 2 (June 2026) pp. 52-62
Abstract
In the present investigation, bio-composites consisting of luffa fiber reinforced bio-based epoxy matrix (LE) incorporated with various nanoparticles was fabricated using a hybrid processing technique that integrates vacuum-assisted resin infusion with autoclave curing. Carbon-based, metal oxide, and layered silicate nanoparticles were utilized to evaluate their influence on mechanical behavior of the bio-luffa composites. The nanoparticles were synthesized and subsequently subjected to heat treatment based on their material characteristics. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis verified the presence of corresponding functional groups. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that storage modulus at glassy area increased from about 2200 MPa for the neat LE composite to approximately 3750MPa, 3050MPa, and 2650MPa for LE–ZrO2, LE–MMT clay, and LE–TiO2 nanocomposites, respectively. In the rubbery plateau region at around 100℃, the modulus increased from ~230MPa to about 540MPa, 590MPa, and 450MPa for the respective nanocomposites, indicating enhanced stiffness and improved filler–matrix interactions. Furthermore, glass transition temperature shifted from ~70℃ for neat composite to about 82℃ and 84℃ for LE–ZrO2 and LE–MMT nanocomposites, respectively, demonstrating restricted polymer chain mobility due to stronger interfacial bonding. Nanofillers possessing lamellar structures, such as layered silicates, exhibited a more pronounced effect on toughness of the bio-luffa composites compared with the particle-shaped morphology of metal oxide nanoparticles. Although micro-voids of varying sizes were observed through scanning tomography, these defects did not significantly affect the mechanical performance of composites, indicating that reinforcing action of nanoparticles remains governing mechanism determining overall mechanical response of bio-luffa composite system.
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Reference
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