Functionalized graphene sheets‐epoxy based nanocomposite for cryotank composite application

Abstract

Multifunctional high performance functionalized graphene sheets (FGSs) based epoxy nanocomposites were investigated to understand the feasibility that these FGSs‐epoxy nanocomposites can be applied to cryotank composite applications. The FGSs were successfully synthesized from graphite flakes through preparing graphite oxides by oxidizing graphite flakes first and next, thermally exfoliating the formed graphite oxides. These high performance FGSs were next incorporated into epoxy matrix resin system to generate the uniformly dispersed FGSs reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. The resultant FGSs‐epoxy nanocomposites significantly enhanced resin strength and toughness about 30–80% and 200–700% at room and low temperatures of −130°C, respectively, and reduced the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of polymer resin at both below and above Tg about 25% at loading of 1.6 wt% FGSs, and increased Tg of polymer resin about 8°C at low loading of 0.4 wt% FGSs without deteriorating their good processability. We found that these significantly improved properties of FGSs‐reinforced epoxy nanocomposite were closely associated with high surface area and wrinkled structure of the FGSs. The further optimization will result the high performance FGSs‐epoxy nanocomposite suitable for use in the next generation multifunctional cryotank carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite applications, where better microcrack resistance and mechanical and dimensional stability are needed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Fabrication and Mechanical and Thermal Behaviour of Graphene Oxide/Epoxy Nanocomposites

“…Figure 4(b) shows that as more GO are incorporated, considerably reduced strains at ultimate strength are observed. The decreased tensile strain of nanocomposites with increasing GO content are typical behaviour of composite with enhanced strength and stiffness [30]. It is obvious from the results that GO can significantly improve the tensile strength and stiffness of epoxy at lower filler loading.…”

Thermoplastic elastomers containing 2D nanofillers: montmorillonite, graphene nanoplatelets and oxidized graphene platelets

“…A higher glass transition temperature in epoxy nanocomposites caused by the addition of graphene sheet was also observed by MartinGallego et al 39 , who fabricated and tested UV cured nanocomposites. Moreover, Lee et al 40 showed that the glass transition temperature of graphene nanocomposites was raised, and the corresponding coeffi cient of thermal expansion was reduced. Besided, Torre et al 41 showed the strong infl uence of the preparation route on the thermal properties of polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites.…”

Fabrication and characterisation of graphene oxide-epoxy nanocomposite

“…Graph (b) shows that as more GO is incorporated, considerably reduced strains at ultimate strength are observed. The decreased tensile strain of nanocomposites with increasing GO content are typical behaviour of composite with enhanced strength and stiffness28 . It is obvious from the results that GO can significantly improve the strength properties of epoxy.…”