Synthesis and analysis of injection‐molded nanocomposites of recycled high‐density polyethylene incorporated with graphene nanoflakes

Abstract

Recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was incorporated with graphene nanoflakes in a solvent at different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 wt%), and then the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and surface hydrophobic properties of the resultant nanocomposites were determined using universal tensile testing, thermal comparative, capacitance bridge, and goniometer techniques, respectively. The test results revealed that the mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties of the polymer matrix nanocomposites were increased as a function of graphene concentrations, whereas the surface hydrophobic values were slightly increased at lower concentrations and then reduced at higher concentrations. These improvements occur mainly because of the excellent properties of graphene nanoflakes, such as tensile strength (150 GPa), Young's modulus (1.0 TPa), thermal conductivity (4,840-5,300 W/m K), electrical conductivity (1.3 3 10 6 S/cm), electrical current density (10 13 A/cm 2 ), surface hydrophobicity (>120 ), and surface smoothness/roughness (<1 nm). The worldwide consumption of polymeric products has been drastically growing, and consequently polymeric waste materials have been rising up, as well. Although the plastic recycling and reprocessing rates are considerably high, physical properties and economical values of the recycled plastics are significantly low, limiting the reuse of recycled plastics in many industrial applications. As a result, this study provides a detailed explanation of how to improve recycled plastics into highly valued new products for applications in various industries, such as transportation, energy, electronic, construction, and so forth. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1565-1573

Polyolefin/graphene nanocomposites: a review

“…Many reports are available related to the incorporation of graphene into the HDPE matrix using solution blending techniques. Asmatulu et al 74 prepared recycled HDPE/graphene nanoake composites by the solution blending method using toluene as the solvent. The maximum of 8 wt% of graphene was incorporated to get improvement in the mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties of the polymer nanocomposites as a function of graphene concentration.…”

“…They found that an increase of 118% in storage modulus of nanocomposites at 8 wt% of DA-G (from 134 MPa to 293 MPa at 50 C) is because graphene acts as a reinforcing ller, which signicantly decreases the chain mobility of the LLDPE matrix. Asmatulu et al 74 reported the improved mechanical properties of the HDPE/graphene composite. The ultimate tensile strength increased by 56% (at 4 wt% graphene) and >100% in tensile modulus (from 200 to 450 MPa) at 1 wt% graphene loading, which could be attributed to the thickness of the graphene sheet (0.35-1 nm) leading to high surface area and increased load transfer sites between the polymer matrix and ller.…”

Electrospun carbon nanofibers for improved electrical conductivity of fiber reinforced composites

“…The contribution of poisson's effect also plays an important role [23]. The resistivity and changes in dimension may be related to the fiber buckling, delamination, cracks, voids, internal defects and secondary phase of the composites [26][27][28][29][30]. However, the relation between dimensional changes and resistivity changes because of the loading and unloading requires more research.…”

Experience-based learning on determining the frictional coefficients of thermoset polymers incorporated with silicon carbide whiskers and chopped carbon fibers at different temperatures

“…Industrial changes and technological challenges have been forcing many scientists and researchers on developing new and functional materials for different harsh conditions [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. In the present study, silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers and chopped carbon fibers were chosen as the fill materials to study as they are both highly abrasive and conduct heat very well.…”