The replacement of synthetic fibers by natural fibers has, in recent decades, been the subject of intense research, particularly as reinforcement of composites. In this work, the lesser known tucum fiber, extracted from the leaves of the Amazon Astrocaryum vulgare palm tree, is investigated as a possible novel reinforcement of epoxy composites. The tucum fiber was characterized by pullout test for interfacial adhesion with epoxy matrix. The fiber presented a critical length of 6.30 mm, with interfacial shear strength of 2.73 MPa. Composites prepared with different volume fractions of 20 and 40% tucum fiber were characterized by tensile and Izod impact tests, as well as by ballistic impact energy absorption using .22 ammunition. A cost analysis compared the tucum fiber epoxy composites with other natural and synthetic fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The results showed that 40 vol% tucum fiber epoxy composites increased the tensile strength by 104% and the absorbed Izod impact energy by 157% in comparison to the plain epoxy, while the ballistic performance of the 20 vol% tucum fiber composites increased 150%. These results confirmed for the first time a reinforcement effect of the tucum fiber to polymer composites. Moreover, these composites exhibit superior cost effectiveness, taking into account a comparison made with others epoxy polymer composites.

Graphene oxide (GO) incorporation in natural fiber composites has recently defined a novel class of materials with enhanced properties for applications, including ballistic armors. In the present work, the performance of a 0.5 vol % GO-incorporated epoxy matrix composite reinforced with 30 vol % fabric made of ramie fibers was investigated by stand-alone ballistic tests against the threat of a 0.22 lead projectile. Composite characterization was also performed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. Ballistic tests disclosed an absorbed energy of 130 J, which is higher than those reported for other natural fabrics epoxy composite, 74–97 J, as well as plain Kevlar (synthetic aramid fabric), 100 J, with the same thickness. This is attributed to the improved adhesion between the ramie fabric and the composite matrix due to the GO—incorporated epoxy. The onset of thermal degradation above 300 °C indicates a relatively higher working temperature as compared to common natural fiber polymer composites. DSC peaks show a low amount of heat absorbed or release due to glass transition endothermic (113–121 °C) and volatile release exothermic (~132 °C) events. The 1030 cm⁻¹ prominent FTIR band, associated with GO bands between epoxy chains and graphene oxide groups, suggested an effective distribution of GO throughout the composite matrix. As expected, XRD of the 30 vol % ramie fabric-reinforced GO-incorporated epoxy matrix composite confirmed the displacement of the (0 0 1) peak of GO by 8° due to intercalation of epoxy chains into the spacing between GO layers. By improving the adhesion to the ramie fabric and enhancing the thermal stability of the epoxy matrix, as well as by superior absorption energy from projectile penetration, the GO may contribute to the composite effective ballistic performance.

Dye removal from manufacturing and textile industry wastewater is one of the biggest challenges in plants. The improper disposal of water with residual dyes can contaminate effluents and fresh water sources. In this work, filtration membranes based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were fabricated by the spray coating method, and its capability to remove dyes from water was evaluated. Graphene oxide was prepared by a modified Hummers method and posteriorly reduced with ascorbic acid; a simple and fast spray coating fabrication method was employed to produce stable membranes, which were analyzed in a home-made permeation cell. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were able to prove that rGO dispersion was formed by graphene flakes with about 45.9 μm of lateral dimension; X-ray diffraction, SEM and Raman analyses indicate that the spray method was efficient in producing stable and uniform filtration membranes; and UV-vis absorption spectra of feed and permeation solution indicate that rGO membranes were capable in removing dye from water. By the main results, it is possible to affirm that rGO filtration membranes are an efficient, low-cost, scalable and fast way to remove dyes from wastewater.