No abstract

In this study, carboxyl graphene-grafted modified high-density polyethylene (CG-g-MHDPE), a new nano-material prepared from grafting MHDPE with CG, was combined with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) through melt-mixing to prepare HDPE/CG-g-MHDPE nanocomposites (with different proportions of HDPE and CG-g-MHDPE). It is hoped that the new nano-material could reduce the occurrence of graphene agglomeration in nonpolar substrates. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that CG-g-MHDPE was successfully synthesized. The results from microscopic characterization, mechanical performance test, thermal analysis, and barrier-property evaluation indicated that the mechanical properties, crystallinity, thermal properties, and barrier properties of HDPE/CG-g-MHDPE nanocomposites with a low content of CG-g-MHDPE (4 and 8%) were greatly improved compared with those of pure HDPE, and the compatibility between graphene and HDPE was effectively enhanced. With increasing added amount of CG-g-MHDPE, the overall performance of the nanocomposites decreased significantly. Adding 8% CG-g-MHDPE led to the production of a nanocomposite with the best performance. Reinforced HDPE nanocomposites with better performance would have a wider range of applications.

A new filler for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was synthesized by doping carbon black (CB) with nanosilver. Images taken from energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction validated the synthesis of the filler (nanosilver-doped CB (CB-Ag)). We evaluated the effect of CB-Ag on the mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties of the nanocomposites (CB-Ag/PET). Thermogravimetric analyses, morphology, and tensile tests indicated that thermodegradation, crystallization rate, and tensile strength were all improved as a result of filling PET with CB-Ag. Excellent antibacterial properties were imparted to PET nanocomposites, which would be useful for a wide array of industrial applications.