Assessment of selected Properties of Rice Husk -Derived Graphene - Modified with Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles / Polyester Nanocomposite

Abstract

Rice husk-derived graphene, doped with silver nanoparticles and polyester nanocomposites, was developed to explore its potential application as a conductive material for engineering applications. This research aims to develop conductive rice-husk graphene nanoparticles (Gr.NPs) mixed with orange juice-modified silver nanoparticles (Ag.NPs). This modified graphene was used to fabricate nanocomposites based on a polyester matrix. Nanocomposites were developed, and their electrical, thermal, microstructural, and mechanical properties were analyzed using standard analytical instruments. Electrical conductivity (2.08 x 10-8 S/m), dielectric constant (5.95), and thermal conductivity (1.45 Wm-1K-1) were obtained due to the high electron mobility of AgNPs and GrNPs, which increased the electrical conductivity of the polyester. An improved tensile strength of 92.35% was achieved for the developed nanocomposite. The AgNPs ensured good dispersion of the GrNPs in the polymer matrix. Consequently, rice husk finds application in the development of conductive polyester-graphene nanocomposites for a wide range of Engineering applications.