Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of electrically conductive TPNR/GNP nanocomposites assisted with ultrasonication

Abstract

Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) was compounded with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) via ultrasonication and melt blending. The effects of ultrasonication period (1-4 hours) and GNP weight fraction (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt.%) on the mechanical, thermal and conductivity properties were investigated. Results showed that the 3 hours of ultrasonic treatment on LNR/GNP gave the greatest improvement in tensile strength of 25.8% (TPNR/GNP nanocomposites) as compared to those without ultrasonication. The TPNR nanocomposites containing 1.5 wt.% GNP exhibited the highest strength (16 MPa for tensile, 14 MPa for flexural and 11 kJm-2 for impact) and modulus (556 MPa and 869 MPa for tensile and flexural, respectively). The incorporation of GNP had enhanced the thermal stability. It can be concluded that the GNP had imparted the thermally and electrically conductive nature to the TPNR blend.

Investigation of the elastic properties of poly (methyl methacrylate) reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets

“…8 GNP clustering results in several difficulties at higher GNP concentrations with the consequent deterioration in the mechanical properties of the polymer nanocomposite. 9 The rise in the number of defects with GNP clustering causes problems as such defects can serve as the starting points for cracks in the nanocomposite. [10][11][12] The enhancement of the elastic properties of the nanocomposite (as a lightweight material) means that it can provide protection for equipment from mechanical damage in longer-term service.…”

“…The polymer nanocomposites with suitable mechanical performance are only obtained up to~0.5 wt% nanoparticle addition in the literature and this is a relatively minor amount. [9][10][11][12] In this study, the synthesis of a PMMA/GNPS nanocomposite with a suitable mechanical performance with a GNP content of 2 wt% supports the development of next-generation nanocomposite systems. The modulus values rise as GNP concentration increases.…”

Assessment of Mechanical and Electrical Performances of Polylactic Acid/Liquid Natural Rubber/Graphene Platelets Nanocomposites in the Light of Different Graphene Platelets Functionalization Routes

“…The figure demonstrates that all three samples exhibit a peak in the angle range of 26-27°, which is a solid evidence of the existence of the GNPs in each sample as reported earlier in recent work. [35] The typical peak for GNP-u appears to be at 26.1°w ith basal spacing (d-spacing) of 3.39 Å, which is expectedly reported in many studies related to the structural characteristics of GNPs. [36] On the other hand, as regards to the modified versions of GNPs, it is clearly seen that the intensity of both treated GNPs is higher than that of untreated GNPs.…”

Mechanical performance and thermal stability of modified epoxy nanocomposite with low loading of graphene platelets

“…Whilst as the GNP was incorporated, the amount of residues showed an increment from 0.2 to 1.0 wt%. This is expected that the GNP material was not burnt off at the temperature below 600°C 2 . The formation of char residue endorsed the alteration in thermal degradation path at high temperature, 5 which was aligned with the enhanced thermal stability of nanocomposites.…”

“…The most significant impact has been revealed on the remarkable improvements in mechanical performance with only a small loading of nanofillers in polymer matrix 1 . Among various nanofillers, there is a huge interest in low cost graphene for batteries, sensors, solar cells, transparent conductors and anti‐static coating 2 . GNP is also widely used for exceptionally impermeable and strong packaging, lubricants and advanced composites 3 .…”