The effect of ultra-thin graphite on the morphology and physical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composites

Abstract

Composites of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and ultra-thin graphite (UTG) with concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3 wt% were prepared using a solution compounding strategy. Substantial reinforcing effects with increased loadings are achieved. Compared to neat TPU, values for storage modulus and shear viscosity are enhanced by 300 % and 150 %, respectively, for UTG concentrations of 3 wt%. Additionally, an enhancement of thermal properties is accomplished. The crystallization temperature and thermal stability increased by 30 ºC and 10 ºC, respectively, compared to neat TPU. Controlling the oxidation degree, thus offers further possibilities to obtain composites with tailored properties. The presented approach is straightforward, leads to homogeneous TPU-UTG composites with improved materials properties and is especially suitable for commercial UTG materials and further up-scaled production.

Multilayer graphene/chlorine-isobutene-isoprene rubber nanocomposites: the effect of dispersion

“…This reduction, during dynamic mechanical deformation, is because of the reduced elastomeric chain mobility in the presence of MLG. [52,53] CIIR/E-MLG and CIIR/C-MLG showed the highest tan δ peak reductions (about 13%), confirming the better dispersion of the MLG and the stronger interaction between the nanofiller and elastomeric chains. This is consistent with the conclusion of J. R. Potts et al [54] and L. Wang et al [55] Furthermore, the reduction in tan δ describes the reduction in energy dissipation during dynamic Durability of mechanical properties against weathering exposure Figure 9 shows the optical microscope images of the unfilled CIIR and the MLG/nanocomposites after 1500 hr weathering exposure.…”

Novel electrically conductive polyurethane/montmorillonite-polypyrrole nanocomposites

“…This morphology can be attributed to the higher site-specific interaction between TPU matrix and Mt-PPy.DBSA. The infrared spectra of neat TPU, TPU/PPy blends and TPU/Mt-PPy nanocomposites filled with 20 wt% is attributed to -NH group of urethane while the bands at 1219 and 1105 cm -1 are assigned to the ether group [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. The spectra of the TPU/PPy and TPU/Mt-PPy exhibited overlapped absorption bands of PPy and TPU.…”

Improved Adhesive Strength and Toughness of Polyvinyl Acetate Glue on Addition of Small Quantities of Graphene

“…24 Originally produced in very small quantities, 25 graphene can now be produced in large quantities by exfoliation 26 of graphite in solvents, 27 aqueous surfactant solutions 28 or polymer solutions. 29,30 Already, graphene has displayed significant success in reinforcing 31-34 both thermoplastics [35][36][37] and elastomers, 38,39 in some cases at very low loading level. 36,40,41 With this in mind, graphene appears to be a promising additive for thermoplastic adhesives.…”