Boehmite-graphene oxide hybrid filled epoxy composite: synthesis, characterization, and properties

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by improved Hummer’s method, and the boehmite nanorods (AlOOH) were obtained by hydrothermal synthesis. Hybrid fillers were acquired of the surface-modified boehmite ( m AlOOH) nanorods attached on GO nanoplatelets ( m AlOOH-GO), then the hybrids were added into epoxy matrix. Both mechanical and thermal properties of the epoxy resin composites were increased through the addition of m AlOOH-GO hybrid fillers. The dispersion was promoted of GO because of introduction of m AlOOH, and the roughness of GO surfaces were increased by appropriate m AlOOH nano-rods, which this allows for a better interfacial formation between EP and hybrid fillers. Thus, remarkable enhancement on impact and flexural strength were achieved by introduction of A3G03 (3 wt% m AlOOH and 0.3 wt% GO), and the yielded enhancements are 302.6 and 46.4%, respectively. In addition, the thermal conductivity increases to 0.264 W m −1  K −1 and the thermal stability is significantly improved.