Reinforcement in melt-processed polymer–graphene composites at extremely low graphene loading level

Abstract

We have prepared polymer nanocomposites reinforced with exfoliated graphene layers solely via melt blending. For this study polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was chosen as the polymer matrix due to its myriad of current and potential applications. PET and PET/graphene nanocomposites were melt compounded on an internal mixer and the resulting materials were compression molded into films. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the graphene flakes were randomly orientated and well dispersed inside the polymer matrix. The PET/graphene nanocomposites were found to be characterized by superior mechanical properties as opposed to the neat PET. Thus, at a nanofiller load as low as 0.07 wt%, the novel materials presented an increase in the elastic modulus higher than 10% and an enhancement in the tensile strength of more than 40% compared to pristine PET.The improvements in the tensile strength were directly correlated to changes in elongation at break and indirectly correlated to the fracture initiation area. The enhancements observed in the mechanical properties of polymer/graphene nanocomposites achieved at low exfoliated graphene loadings and manufactured exclusively via melt mixing may open the door to industrial manufacturing of economical novel materials with superior stiffness, strength and ductility.3

Improving the fracture toughness properties of epoxy using graphene nanoplatelets at low filler content

“…The aspect ratio of the f-GNPs used here was found to be 432, which is comparable to material used in previous studies, which ranged from 90 to 933. 9,[59][60][61] However it has been suggested that aspect ratios as high as 35 000 are needed for full stress transfer into the filler particles, [62][63][64] implying that the current system will not achieve optimized reinforcement. It was also noted that the presence of functional groups on the f-GNPs may improve the interfacial stress transfer.…”

Morphing nacelle inlet lip with pneumatic actuators and a flexible nano composite sandwich panel

“…The process does not necessitate the usage of expensive solvents such as the ones currently being used in literature for exfoliation of graphite (THF and NMP) [27,24], and it is compatible with large-scale industrial processes. Table 2 also indicates a higher electrical conductivity proving that the graphene doped thermoplastic polyurethane is moderately conductive.…”

“…In this regard, their properties can be tailored through the inclusion of nanofillers to their structure [26,27].…”

Photoluminescence from Liquid‐Exfoliated WS2Monomers in Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Polymer Composites

“…This is particularly problematic for high aspect ratio 2D fillers which can show aggregation effects even at loading levels below 0.5%. 45,46,50,51 Such aggregation is almost always detrimental to the properties of the composite, for example resulting in fall off in mechanical properties. 46 Alternatively for optical applications, well defined properties associated with monolayers might be required which would be destroyed by aggregation.…”