Study on the mechanical and thermal properties of basalt fiber-reinforced lead oxide nanoparticle polymer composite for advanced energy storage applications
Thandavamoorthy Raja, Yuvarajan Devarajan
Abstract
This study investigates the thermal and mechanical properties of an innovative polymer composite reinforced with basalt fiber and lead oxide nanoparticles , tailored for energy storage applications . The composite was synthesized by incorporating basalt fiber and varying concentrations (3 to 15 g) of lead oxide nanoparticles into an epoxy resin matrix . Mechanical testing revealed significant improvements in tensile, compressive, flexural, and impact strength , with increases of 11 %, 8 %, 10 %, and 30 %, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic analysis confirmed a uniform dispersion of lead oxide nanoparticles and strong interfacial bonding between the basalt fibers and the epoxy matrix . The viscoelastic analysis showed a notable enhancement in storage modulus , rising from 2650 MPa to 2980 MPa for composites containing 3 to 12 g of lead oxide nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated improved thermal stability, with the decomposition temperature increasing from 350 °C for pure epoxy to 410 °C for the composite with 12 g of lead oxide nanoparticles. Furthermore, the composite demonstrated improved thermal conductivity , reaching 0.34 W/mK, enhancing its heat dissipation capacity. These results highlight the potential of this novel composite material for advanced energy storage systems , offering superior mechanical strength , enhanced thermal stability, and improved heat dissipation, making it a potential material for high-performance energy applications .