Abstract
The study focuses on Palm fruit Fibers (PF) extracted from the palmyra palm tree (Borassus flabellifer) treated with 5 % alkali solution (NaOH). This treatment eliminates impurities from the fiber surface and enhances bonding with the epoxy matrix. Epoxy composites, reinforced with PF/nanofillers (h-BN, Al(2)O(3) and MWCNT), are developed by using the box Behnken method (BBD) and dielectric constant is investigated under high-frequency and electrical field conditions. Dielectric constants (K) of the nanocomposites are determined using various capacitor terminal setups. The electrical properties of the Epoxy/PF nanocomposite, based on fiber content (Wt. %), fiber mesh size (μm) and nanofillers are evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). Models, predicting nanocomposite dielectric constants, are established, fitting experimental values closely with R(2) nearing 1 and residuals adhering to a normal probability plot. The optimized dielectric constant of 1.05 is achieved at 3 wt% palm fiber content, 150 μm fiber mesh size and 1 wt% nano h-BN.