Attapulgite–graphene oxide hybrids as thermal and mechanical reinforcements for epoxy composites

Hybrid fillers composed of attapulgite (ATP) nanorods attached on graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets were produced at various combinations and employed in epoxy composites. Both thermal and mechanical properties of the matrix material were increased through the introduction of ATP–GO hybrid fillers. Although the dispersion of ATP–GO became worse because of decreased functionality, a better interfacial interaction can be obtained with proper ATP content by increasing the roughness of GO surfaces. Therefore remarkable enhancement on tensile properties and fracture toughness were achieved by addition of A1G02 (1 wt% ATP and 0.2 wt% GO), which is the optimum composition in the hybrids for composite mechanical properties. The yielded improvements were 36%, 16%, 27% and 19% in Young’s modulus, tensile strength, critical stress intensity factor (KIC) and critical energy release rate (GIC), respectively. It is obvious that the behavior of ATP and the composition of ATP–GO hybrids played an important role in composite performance.