Tailoring the Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Composites via Graphene Oxide Reinforcement for High-performance Application

This study investigated the synthesis, characterization, and performance of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composites reinforced with 1 wt.% graphene oxide (GO). The composites were prepared by mechanically mixing UPR, general-purpose resin (GP), iso marine resin (ISO) and rooflite resin (RL) with GO, followed by ultrasonication and curing. The oxidation of graphene into GO and the generation of resin composites was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy investigations. Graphite lacked any noticeable distinctive peaks whereas, characteristic absorption bands at 3350(O-H), 1718 (C=O), 1613 (C=C), 1165 and 1036 cm−1 to C-O-C illustrated the functionalized structure of GO. Characteristic peaks at 2θ=10.27, 30.4 and 2.1 were observed in the XRD spectrum of GO. Scanning electron microscopy revealed improved particle distribution and morphological changes in the resin after GO incorporation. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated increased thermal stability, while the mechanical tests showed improvements in hardness. The DSC curves of the GO sample exhibited a clear exothermic peak at 201℃, and highest tg value of 85.3℃ was found in 1% GO composite of ISO resin and in DTG it showed a Tmax value of 386℃. Tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths of the GO composites are measured and reported. The dielectric strength of the composites also varies based on resin type, with GO improving insulation properties in certain resins. Dielectric value strength value of 5080.0 V/mm for GP resin with 1% GO shows an enhanced overall dielectric performance. A comparison is made among the resin composites of GP, ISO and RL UPR. It was observed that the addition of GO significantly enhanced the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the polyester composites, making them suitable for advanced material applications.