Crystallization of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) by exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets

Miloaga, Dana G.; Hosein, Hazel Ann A; Misra, Manjusri; Drzal, Lawrence T.

doi:10.1002/app.25137

Cited by 25 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP), multiple graphene layers stacked to form platelets, were developed by a cost effective method as mentioned by Fukushima [7]. Researchers such as Kalaitzidou et al [8], Miloaga et al [9] and Pinto et al [10] have investigated the application of xGnP as a reinforcement filler with different polymers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene glycol) Polymer Nanocomposites: Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets

et al. 2013

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Graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP) were investigated as a novel nano-reinforcement filler in poly(lactic acid)(PLA)/poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) blends by the melt blending method. PLA was first plasticized by PEG in order to improve its flexibility and thereby overcome its problem of brittleness. Then, xGnP was incorporated into the PLA/PEG blend. The prepared nanocomposites exhibited a significant improvement in tensile properties at a low xGnP loading. The tensile properties demonstrated the addition of 0.3 wt% of xGnP led to an increase of up to 32.7%, 69.5% and 21.9% in tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of the nanocomposites respectively, compared to PLA/PEG blend. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed the presence of a peak around 26.5○ in PLA/PEG/xGnP nanocomposites which corresponds to the characteristic peak of xGnP. The nanocomposites also shows enhanced thermal stability compared with PLA/PEG blend in thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The enhancement to some extent of the tensile properties of the PLA/PEG/xGnP nanocomposites can be ascribed to the homogeneous dispersion and orientation of the xGnP nanoplatelets in the polymer matrix and strong interfacial interaction between both components. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of PLA/PEG/0.3 wt% xGnP displays good uniformity and more homogenous morphology. Good uniformity of composites indicates a good degree of dispersion of the xGnp and therefore results in good tensile and thermal properties.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene glycol) Polymer Nanocomposites: Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets

et al. 2013

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“…This makes xGnP reinforced polymer nanocomposite manufacture products very feasible. xGnP has been incorporated into polymers such as epoxy, vinyl ester, polyamide, polypropylene, and polylactic acid for improving the mechanical and electrical properties [5][6][7][8]. It is found that xGnP not only improves the electrical conductivity of the host polymer, but also produces nucleation effects for thermoplastics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Processing on Morphology, Electrical Conductivity and Flexural Properties of Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets-Polyamide Nanocomposites

Liu¹,

Do²,

Fukushima³

et al. 2010

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Graphene is one of the most promising materials for many applications. It can be used in a variety of applications not only as a reinforcement material for polymer to obtain a combination of desirable mechanical, electrical, thermal, and barrier properties in the resulting nanocomposite but also as a component in energy storage, fuel cells, solar cells, sensors, and batteries. Recent research at Michigan State University has shown that it is possible to exfoliate natural graphite into graphite nanoplatelets composed entirely of stacks of graphene. The size of the platelets can be controlled from less than 10 nm in thickness and diameters of any size from sub-micron to 15 microns or greater. In this study we have investigated the influence of melt compounding processing on the physical properties of a polyamide 6 (PA6) nanocomposite reinforced with exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP). The morphology, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of xGnP-PA6 nanocomposite were characterized with electrical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, AC impedance, and mechanical properties. It was found that counter rotation (CNR) twins crew processed xGnP/PA6 nanocomposite had similar mechanical properties with co-rotation (CoR) twin screw processed or with CoR conducted with a screw design modified for nanoparticles (MCoR). Microscopy showed that the CNR processed nanocomposite had better xGnP dispersion than the (CoR) twin screw processed and modified screw (MCoR) processed ones. It was also found that the CNR processed nanocomposite at a given xGnP content showed the lowest graphite X-ray diffraction peak at 26.5 o indicating better xGnP dispersion in the nanocomposite. In addition, it was also found that the electrical conductivity of the CNR processed 12 wt.% xGnP-PA6 nanocomposite is more than ten times higher than the CoR and MCoR processed ones. These results indicate that better dispersion of an xGnP-PA6 nanocomposite is attainable in CNR twins crew processing than conventional CoR processing.

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“…Nano-expanded graphite has a nucleating effect on polyolefins (polyethylene (PE) [15], polypropylene (PP) [11,16]), biodegradable polyesters (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) [17] and polylactic acid (PLA) [18]). In the case of PP, it favors the crystalline β-phase which has improved mechanical properties compared to the crystalline α-phase.…”

Section: Conductive Fillermentioning

confidence: 99%