Effect of graphene and bio silica extract from waste coconut shell and rye grass: aluminum silicon alloy hybrid composites for energy storage applications

Abstract

Lightweight and high-strength materials are the significant demand for energy storage applications in recent years. Composite materials have the potential to attain physical, chemical, mechanical, and tribological qualities in the present environment. In this study, graphene (Gr) and biosilica (Bs) nanoparticle extracts from waste coconut shell and rye grass are utilized as reinforcement materials to add to the aluminum silicon (Al-Si) alloy matrix materials. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a rapidly manufacturing technology used to create Al/Gr/Bs hybrid composites. The specimens are made up of four distinct combinations of base matrix alloy (100 wt%), Gr (3, 6, and 9 wt %), and Bs (2, 4, and 6 wt %) with an aluminium alloy matrix. The influence on mechanical characteristics, specifically hardness, tensile strength, and wear, was investigated and compared to the basic matrix alloy. The fracture processes of wear specimens are studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Globally, graphene (Gr)-based materials for energy storage devices have been successfully manufactured and deployed in a variety of applications, including super capacitors, lithium-ion batteries, water splitting, fuel cell electrocatalysts, and solar cells. Environmentally friendly graphene (Gr) and biosilica (Bs) nanoparticles have the potential to be used as reinforcement in composite development. These findings showed how promising graphene (Gr) and biosilica (Bs), which are inexpensive reinforcement materials made from leftover coconut shell and rye grass, are for use in energy storage applications.