Enhanced performance of lightweight kenaf-based hierarchical composite laminates with embedded carbon nanotubes

The aim of this study was to fabricate hierarchical composites by combining multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into glass/kenaf/epoxy and carbon/kenaf/epoxy laminated composites. MWCNTs were dispersed in Chinese ink and coated onto the surface of glass and carbon fabrics using a spray method. The coated glass and carbon were then hybridized with kenaf fibre to produce hierarchical composite laminates using a hand lay-up followed by vacuum bagging method. The addition of ink/MWCNT produced laminates with densities comparable to the control samples and remarkable improvement in flexural strength and modulus. This trend is shown in both hierarchical composite laminates. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed a ~42% increase in storage modulus in the glassy region for ink/MWCNT/GKKG and a shift from 85.7 to 90.1 °C in Tg for ink/MWCNT/CKKC. Overall, the results indicated that adding MWCNT dispersed in Chinese ink can produce lightweight laminates with high flexural performance. [Display omitted] •Chinese ink used as dispersing agent in MWCNT suspension helps to improve adhesion between MWCNT and fibres.•Adding MWCNT into kenaf-based hybrid laminates produces hierarchical composites with high specific flexural properties.•Glass/kenaf hierarchical composites shows a huge enhancement in flexural strength (~51%) with a density reduction of ~28%.