Graphene and Polyethylene: A Strong Combination Towards Multifunctional Nanocomposites

Abstract

The key to the preparation of polymer nanocomposites with new or improved properties resides in the homogeneous dispersion of the filler and in the efficient load transfer between components through strong filler/polymer interfacial interactions. This paper reports on the preparation of a series of nanocomposites of graphene and a polyolefin using different experimental approaches, with the final goal of obtaining multifunctional materials. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is employed as the matrix, while unmodified and chemically modified graphene fillers are used. By selecting the correct combination as well as the adequate preparation process, the nanocomposites display optimized thermal and mechanical properties, while also conferring good gas barrier properties and significant levels of electrical conductivity.

Morphology, Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Isotropic and Anisotropic PP/rPET/GnP Nanocomposite Samples

“…For this reason, the incorporation of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix is often employed to enhance performance, and this has become an issue of interest in academia and industry [3,4]. In this respect, graphene has attracted a great deal of attention due to its capacity to improve the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer nanocomposites and their behavior to thermomechanical and photooxidative degradation [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. In addition, the presence of GnPs enhances the effect of elongated flow, which, consequently, improves mechanical properties with the draw ratio of nanocomposites compared to the matrix alone [9].…”

Multiwideband Terahertz Communications Via Tunable Graphene-Based Metasurfaces in 6G Networks: Graphene Enables Ultimate Multiwideband THz Wavefront Control

“…Synthesis of graphene/alumina composite materials enhances strength, toughness, and wear-resistance with a low-cost process [9]. This composite is stacked on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) substrate, due to its particularly low losses in the terahertz band [10]. HDPE permittivity is r = 2.37 and its thickness is selected h 1 = 15 µm.…”

“…HDPE permittivity is r = 2.37 and its thickness is selected h 1 = 15 µm. The combination of graphene and HDPE leads to high electrical conductivity with good thermal and mechanical properties [10]. Another layer of graphene/alumina composite (b = 20 µm, the chemical potential µ 1 ) is sandwiched between HDPE and silicon (h 2 = 10 µm) to allow for supporting multiple resonances and, thereby, being able to operate in three disjoint bands.…”

Polyolefin nanocomposites based on metallocene catalysts

“…In recent years polyole in nanocomposites are of great interest because of their high potential as materials with novel properties [1,2]. The properties of the nanocomposites are not only in luenced by the kind of illers but also by the microstructure of the polyole in, the distribution of the illers, and the preparation process.…”