Comparison of mechanical properties and thermal stability of graphene‐based materials and halloysite nanotubes reinforced maleated polymer compatibilized polypropylene nanocomposites

Abstract

This study compares the reinforcing effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), graphene oxide (GO), and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in polypropylene (PP) based nanocomposites with PP‐g‐maleic anhydride (MAPP) as compatibilizer. PP/GNP/MAPP, PP/GO/MAPP, and PP/HNTs/MAPP nanocomposites were fabricated at nanofillers contents 1, 2, 3, 4 parts per hundred (phr) and MAPP at 4 phr, to PP matrix, using melt extrusion and injection molding techniques. Results show that at nanofillers optimum content, PP/GNP3/MAPP nanocomposite increased in tensile strength and modulus by 8% and 96%, respectively, compared to pure PP (p ˂ 0.05). PP/GNP3/MAPP nanocomposite also increased in tensile strength and modulus by 2% and 4% respectively, compared to PP/GO2/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05) and 2% and 15% compared to PP/HNTs2/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05) nanocomposites. For impact strength performance, PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite increased in impact strength (notched) by 104% compared to pure PP (p ˂ 0.05). Also, PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite increased in impact strength by 23% compared to PP/GO1/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05) and 13% compared to PP/HNTs1/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05), nanocomposites. In flexural properties, PP/GO4/MAPP nanocomposite increased in flexural strength and modulus by 24% and 28%, respectively, compared to pure PP (p ˂ 0.05). Also, PP/GO4/MAPP nanocomposite increased in flexural strength and modulus by 4% and 9%, respectively, compared to PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite, and 9% and 21% respectively compared to PP/HNTs2/MAPP nanocomposite. PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite increased in thermal stability by 12°C compared to pure PP; 29°C compared to PP/GO2/MAPP; and 15°C compared to PP/HNTs2/MAPP nanocomposites. Overall, PP/GNP/MAPP nanocomposite exhibited superior mechanical properties and thermal stability compared to PP/GO/MAPP and PP/HNTs/MAPP nanocomposites. PP/GO/MAPP was superior for bending properties while PP/HNTs/MAPP was best for ductility.

Effect of multi‐walled carbon nanotube localization on toughening mechanism and electrical properties of compatibilized PP/EOC immiscible blend

“…PP/EOC/MWCNTs nanocomposite samples were prepared by melt compounding using a 60 cm 3 internal mixer (Braebender Plasticorder W50) at 190 C and rotor speed of 90 rpm for 20 min. Before mixing, MWCNTs and PP-g-MA were dried in an oven for 18 h at 70 C. Three different feeding methods were considered for preparing the nanocomposite samples.…”

“…Polypropylene (PP), which is known as a semicrystalline polyolefin polymer, is widely used in industrial applications such as automobiles, appliances, and packaging. [1][2][3] The versatility of PP is attributed to its excellent properties, that is, low price, chemical and moisture resistance, high performance, and good process-ability. [4,5] However, the performance of PP as an engineering material is limited by its poor toughness, which is a key factor for practical applications of PP, especially at low temperatures or high strain rates.…”

Advancement of the Power-Law Model and Its Percolation Exponent for the Electrical Conductivity of a Graphene-Containing System as a Component in the Biosensing of Breast Cancer

“…Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have a tubular structure of carbon atoms [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. However, graphene 2D nano-sheets in the form of sp 2 carbon show wonderful electronic, unique mechanical, significant thermal and good chemical properties [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Thus, polymer nanocomposites containing graphene can be applied in different technologies such as transparent electronics, electromagnetic interference shielding, energy devices, light emitting diodes and lightning protection [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Fracture behavior, microstructure, and mechanical properties of PA6/NBR nanocomposites

“…On the other hand, because of the existing high surface energy in nanoscale reinforcements, the mechanical properties of many polymers with nanoparticles is higher than that reported for polymers with microparticles in many articles. [3,4] The second approach is to combine thermoplastic polymer with an elastomer polymer such as EPDM, SBR, and NBR, which leads to an increase in flexibility and thermal properties in polymers. [5,6] So far, there are many reports using this approach for nanocomposites manufacturing and investigation of mechanical, thermal, and fracture mechanisms of these materials.…”