Polypropylene nanocomposites with electrical and magnetic properties

Abstract

The magnetic and conducting properties of polypropylene (PP)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-carbon nanotube with iron (CNT-Fe) nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing were studied. CNT-Fes were synthesized by the pyrolysis of sawdust, and rGO was produced from graphite flakes. The combination of these two materials was used to produce magnetic and conducting properties in a diamagnetic and insulating PP matrix with the addition of a small amount of filler. A constant and minute amount of CNT-Fes was sufficient to introduce magnetic characteristics to the PP matrix. A variable amount of rGO was used, and the percolation threshold was achieved with the use of only 2.1 wt % rGO. All samples reached magnetic saturation at about 4.2 kOe, with an identical coercivity of 150 Oe and a normalized remnant magnetization of 0.14. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed enhancements in the maximum degradation temperature, melting temperature, crystallization temperature, and crystallinity. The nanocomposites showed better mechanical and barrier properties than the neat polymer. The novelty of this study was the use of a filler derived from waste combined with rGO to obtain a thermoplastic nanocomposite with both magnetic and conducting properties at room temperature. V C 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46820.

Polyethylene Nanocomposites with Ni, Co, and Fe Carbon‐Based Magnetic Fillers

“…The highest increase in the modulus was shown by PE‐Fe‐C‐2% and PE‐Ni‐C‐2%, exhibiting an enhancement of 33% (from 607 to 893 and 906 MPa, respectively); similar enhancements are reported by other researchers using graphene nanosheets and carbon nanotubes . The improvement in the modulus is attributed to the filler loading and their uniform dispersion in the PE matrix, leading to strong interfacial adhesion, which results in an actual load transmission from the nanoparticles to the polymer . These effects indicate an increase in the nanocomposites' rigidity because of the presence of the filler .…”

“…However, to broaden its industrial application, the physicochemical properties need to be improved further . To date, different methods namely melt blending, in situ polymerization, and solution mixing have been used to prepare nanocomposites . Melt blending is often used; however, to disperse the fillers in the PE matrix homogenously is difficult to be attained because of the insufficient compatibility between the materials .…”

“…The focus of our research group is to prepare polyolefin nanocomposites by melt mixing and in situ polymerization techniques. Recently, we reported the synthesis of polyolefins‐carbon nanotubes magnetic nanocomposites (PE‐CNT‐Fe and PP‐CNT‐Fe), obtaining a uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polyolefin matrices . More recently, we studied the introduction of Ni‐carbonized magnetic nanoparticles produced from the wood biomass (cost‐effective materials), using the microwave for the pyrolysis to carbonize the material, and used as filler in PE nanocomposites .…”

Metal activated carbon as an efficient filler for high‐density polyethylene nanocomposites

“…[1,2] The introduction of nanofiller particles, such as clay nanosheets, graphite, and carbon nanotubes, enhances both the mechanical and thermal properties of the PNC as compared to the neat polymer matrix. [3][4][5] Depending upon the nanofillers used, it can be transformed by creating thermal and/or electrical conductive network in the polymer matrix, [6,7] hence giving rise to antimicrobial properties or improving fire-retardant characteristics. [8] In fact, the design of nanocomposites can aid in excessive applications ranging from high-strength structural materials to gas separation membranes.…”

“…[22] Various techniques have been used to prepare polyolefin nanocomposites such as melt blending, solution mixing, and in situ polymerization. [4,5,23] However, each of these methods presents some technical limitations, being solvent mixing method the less desirable from an economical and environmental point of view. In fact, based on PE and polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites the solvent mixing method is not practical meanwhile these polyolefins are generally used to solubilized in the solvents like trichlorobenzene and xylene at elevated temperature (eg, 120 C), causing serious health problems.…”