Effect of GO/rGO coating on morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of sisal fibres

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of natural lignocellulose fibres (NLFs) as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fibres by addressing their inherent limitations in mechanical, interfacial, and thermal performance. Sisal fibres have been subjected to 5 wt% alkali treatment followed by coating with 1 wt% graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Structural and thermal characterizations have been carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The presence of GO/rGO coating has been confirmed by FTIR, while XRD analysis has revealed improved crystallinity. Mechanical testing has demonstrated significant enhancements in tensile strength by approximately 62% (GO) and 94% (rGO), along with increases in interfacial shear strength by nearly 95% and 133%, respectively, compared with untreated fibres. These findings have shown that GO/rGO-coated sisal fibres exhibit superior performance while maintaining environmental compatibility, making them promising candidates for applications in automotive, aerospace, household products, sports, and naval vessel industries.