Vinyl ester composites reinforced with Cyperus platystylis stem fibre and silver oxide nanoparticles: a research on mechanical, thermal, dielectric, magnetic and electromagnetic shielding properties
摘要
The present research investigated the multifunctional performance of vinyl ester composites reinforced with silane treated Cyperus platystylis stem fiber and silver oxide nanoparticles. Composites containing 50 vol% treated natural fiber and varying nanoparticle concentrations (0.5–3.5 vol%) were fabricated and systematically evaluated for their mechanical, dielectric, magnetic, thermal and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties. The results indicated that silane treatment significantly improved fiber-matrix interfacial bonding which enhanced stress transfer and overall composite performance. Among the developed composites, the MPS1 composite containing 1.5 vol% silver oxide nanoparticles exhibited the optimum performance with a tensile strength of 154 MPa, flexural strength of 170 MPa, impact strength of 5 J and hardness of 86 shore D. In addition, the composite demonstrated improved dielectric permittivity (3.68) enhanced magnetic permeability and reduced thermal conductivity (0.33 W/mK) indicating better insulating capability. The EMI shielding effectiveness reached a maximum of 31.86 dB at 8 GHz and 63.74 dB at 18 GHz confirming strong electromagnetic wave attenuation due to enhanced interfacial polarization and conductive network formation. Overall, the synergistic effect of silane-treated natural fibers and optimally dispersed silver oxide nanoparticles significantly improved the multifunctional properties of the vinyl ester composites making them promising materials for advanced engineering and electromagnetic shielding applications.