Manda invents graphene-reinforced natural jute fiber composite

Recently, scientists at the University of Manchester have combined graphene and natural fiber jute to create the world's first graphene-reinforced natural jute fiber composite . The research is a breakthrough in the manufacture of high-performance and environmentally-friendly natural fiber composites, which can replace synthetic materials in major manufacturing sectors such as the automotive industry, shipbuilding, durable wind turbine blades and low-cost housing.

Researchers at the University of Manchester claim that it can also promote the economic development of countries such as Bangladesh, India and China that produce jute materials.

The University of Manchester is home to the National Graphene Institute and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Center, which offers unparalleled expertise in graphene. The two plants show Manchester's position as the world's leading knowledge base for graphene research and commercialization.

Jute is extracted from the bark of the white jute plant (Corchorus capsularis) and is a 100% biodegradable, recyclable and environmentally friendly natural fiber. It is also the second largest natural fiber produced in the world - second only to cotton - and is at least 50% cheaper than linen and other similar natural fibers.

Graphene-jute composite fiber materials are attractive for the search for cheaper, more environmentally friendly alternative composite materials. This is why natural fiber composites are attracting great interest because it is possible to reduce carbon emissions by replacing synthetic materials such as glass fibers, which are more costly and potentially harmful to the environment.

The graphene-jute composite fiber material is light and high-strength similar to carbon fiber and glass fiber, but the cost is much lower than that of carbon fiber, and it is expected to replace some existing applications of carbon fiber.

Natural fiber composites are environmentally friendly, but their mechanical and interfacial properties are poor, which means they are not strong enough for certain industrial applications. That's why researchers at the National Graphene Research Institute (NGI) and the Textile Composites Group at the University of Manchester have been working on a joint project to coat jute fibers with graphene oxide and graphene to increase their strength.

The results show that the interfacial shear strength of jute fiber coated with graphene coating is increased by about 200%, and the bending strength is increased by nearly 100% compared with untreated fiber.

Dr. Nazmul Karim, a researcher at the National Graphene Institute, said: "We have been working on graphene and other 2D-based systems for many years in the team of Professor Novoselov. The natural fiber of the material.” It is very important to translate this experience into the development of high performance natural fiber composites.

Jute, once known as the gold fiber of Bangladesh, lost its popularity after the introduction of synthetic materials such as polyethylene and plastic in the 1980s. However, as the potential risks of environmental pollution to plastic products continue to increase, the use of natural fibers such as jute has increased again.

In addition, the amount of jute used in the automotive interior of the global automotive industry is also growing rapidly, currently requiring about 100,000 tons per year. Graphene-based jute composite fibers can play a very important role in meeting the growing demand for environmentally friendly products in various industries.