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<p>The growing demand for sustainable lightweight materials has accelerated the development of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites as alternatives to conventional synthetic composites. In this study, the physical, mechanical, and fracture behavior of hemp/basalt fabric-reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites modified with silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) nanoparticles was investigated. Hemp fibers were treated with 5 wt% NaOH, and basalt fibers were silane-treated to improve fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion. Hybrid nanocomposites containing 0.5–2 wt% Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles were fabricated through ultrasonication-assisted hand lay-up followed by vacuum bagging and compression curing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful fiber surface modification and enhanced interfacial interactions among the fibers, epoxy matrix, and nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy revealed improved nanoparticle dispersion and compact morphology up to 1.5 wt% Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> loading, whereas localized agglomeration was observed at higher filler contents. The composite containing 1.5 wt% Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> exhibited the best overall performance, achieving a tensile strength of 190.78&#xa0;MPa and a tensile modulus of 11.11 GPa, corresponding to improvements of 13.41% and 23.31%, respectively, compared with the unfilled hybrid composite. The same composite also showed the highest impact strength of 16.4&#xa0;kJ/m<sup>2</sup> and enhanced hardness due to improved stress transfer, crack deflection, and interfacial bonding. Excessive nanoparticle loading resulted in agglomeration and microvoids formation, causing a slight reduction in mechanical properties. The results demonstrate that the synergistic combination of alkali-treated hemp fibers, silane-treated basalt fibers, and Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles is an effective strategy for developing sustainable nanocomposites with enhanced strength, stiffness, toughness, and fracture resistance for lightweight structural and transportation applications.</p>

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Influence of silicon nitride nanoparticle reinforcement on the structure and properties of surface treated hemp/basalt reinforced hybrid epoxy composites

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月26日

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  • R. Kiran,
  • K. R. Prakash,
  • V. Ravikumar,
  • G. R. Gurunagendra,
  • D. C. Savitha,
  • P. B. Asha,
  • N. Shreekala,
  • B. Suresha,
  • Subraya Krishna Bhat

摘要

The growing demand for sustainable lightweight materials has accelerated the development of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites as alternatives to conventional synthetic composites. In this study, the physical, mechanical, and fracture behavior of hemp/basalt fabric-reinforced epoxy hybrid nanocomposites modified with silicon nitride (Si3N4) nanoparticles was investigated. Hemp fibers were treated with 5 wt% NaOH, and basalt fibers were silane-treated to improve fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion. Hybrid nanocomposites containing 0.5–2 wt% Si3N4 nanoparticles were fabricated through ultrasonication-assisted hand lay-up followed by vacuum bagging and compression curing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed successful fiber surface modification and enhanced interfacial interactions among the fibers, epoxy matrix, and nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy revealed improved nanoparticle dispersion and compact morphology up to 1.5 wt% Si3N4 loading, whereas localized agglomeration was observed at higher filler contents. The composite containing 1.5 wt% Si3N4 exhibited the best overall performance, achieving a tensile strength of 190.78 MPa and a tensile modulus of 11.11 GPa, corresponding to improvements of 13.41% and 23.31%, respectively, compared with the unfilled hybrid composite. The same composite also showed the highest impact strength of 16.4 kJ/m2 and enhanced hardness due to improved stress transfer, crack deflection, and interfacial bonding. Excessive nanoparticle loading resulted in agglomeration and microvoids formation, causing a slight reduction in mechanical properties. The results demonstrate that the synergistic combination of alkali-treated hemp fibers, silane-treated basalt fibers, and Si3N4 nanoparticles is an effective strategy for developing sustainable nanocomposites with enhanced strength, stiffness, toughness, and fracture resistance for lightweight structural and transportation applications.