Design, Development and Evaluation of Thermal Properties of Polysulphone–CNT/GNP Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polysulphone (PSU) composites with carbon nanotubes (PSU-CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (PSU-GNP) were developed through the solution casting process, using various weight load percentages of 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt% of CNT and GNP nanofillers. The microstructural and thermal properties of the PSU-based composites were compared. The microstructural characterisation of both composites (PSU-CNTs and PSU-GNPs) showed a strong matrix–filler interfacial interaction and uniform dispersion of CNTs and GNPs in the PSU matrix. The analysis demonstrated that both the thermal conductivity and effusivity improved with the increase in the weight percentage (wt%) of CNTs and GNPs because of the percolation effect. The polysulphone-based composite containing 10 wt% CNTs showed a remarkably high thermal conductivity value of 1.13 (W/m·K), which is 163% times higher than pure PSU. While the glass transition temperature (Tg) was shifted to a higher temperature, the thermal expansion was reduced in all the PSU-CNT and PSU-GNP composites. Interestingly, the CNTs allowed homogeneous distribution and a reasonably good interfacial network of interaction with the PSU matrix, leading to better microstructural characteristics and thermal properties than those of the PSU-GNP composites. The findings highlight the importance of controlling the nature, distribution, and content of fillers within the polymeric matrix.

Synthesis, Thermal Adsorption, and Energy Storage Calibration of Polysulfone Nanocomposite Developed with GNP/CNT Nanofillers

“…However, the PSU nanocomposite containing 0, 2, 4, and 6 wt% of GNP showed an increased thermal conductivity of 0.45 W/ It was observed from Figure 3(a) that the thermal conductivity of PSU/GNP nanocomposite gradually increased with an increase in GNP nanofiller. The transmission of higher heat energy requires good interfacial connection [20,23]. The maximum thermal transient effect of 1.23 W/ mK was found on 6 wt% GNP bonded PSU nanocomposite.…”

Advances in Functional Biopolymer-Based Nanocomposites for Active Food Packaging Applications

“…Thermal properties are crucial for the use of polymeric materials in a variety of applications, including packaging for consumer products. The low thermal conductivity of polymers or the mismatch between the thermal expansion characteristics of fillers and polymeric components is a major technological barrier [ 63 ]. Thermally stable neat polymers typically exhibit thermal conductivities in the range of 0.1–1.4 W/m·K; however, most nanofillers or nanomaterials exhibit high thermal conductivities in the range of 100–400 W/m·K [ 64 ].…”

Experimental and Simulation Studies of Temperature Effect on Thermophysical Properties of Graphene-Based Polylactic Acid

“…Polysulphone (PSU) nanocomposites with enhanced thermal properties due to the addition of different concentrations of carbon nanotubes or graphene nanoplatelets were successfully developed through the solution casting process by Irshad et al [ 14 ].…”