Functionalized Low Defect Graphene Nanoribbons and Polyurethane Composite Film for Improved Gas Barrier and Mechanical Performances

Abstract

A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite film containing hexadecyl-functionalized low-defect graphene nanoribbons (HD-GNRs) was produced by solution casting. The HD-GNRs were well distributed within the polyurethane matrix, leading to phase separation of the TPU. Nitrogen gas effective diffusivity of TPU was decreased by 3 orders of magnitude with only 0.5 wt % HD-GNRs. The incorporation of HD-GNRs also improved the mechanical properties of the composite films, as predicted by the phase separation and indicated by tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analyses. The improved properties of the composite film could lead to potential applications in food packaging and lightweight mobile gas storage containers.

Enhanced thermal conductive property of polyamide composites by low mass fraction of covalently grafted graphene nanoribbons

“…The FTIR curves illustrated that the GNR surface generated oxygencontaining groups (such as -OH, -COOH, and C-O-C) after the oxidation procedure. 25,26 The presence of large numbers of oxygen-containing groups (mainly contains -OH, -COOH and -O-after severe oxidation with KMnO 4 ) on the GNR surface was a necessary factor (the main groups to react with the amide group were -COOH and -O-) for PA6 chains grafting onto GNR by in situ polymerization. 3b: dissolving test), connoting that many more hydrophilic groups were present on the GNR surface.…”

High-yield single-step catalytic growth of graphene nanostripes by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

“…Among many intriguing properties and promising applications of graphene-based materials [1e3], reduced dimensional graphene nanostructures, such as graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) that often refer to one-dimensional crystals with nanoscale widths, have attracted much attention for their quantum confinement effects in extremely narrow ribbons [4,5], novel edge characteristics [3,6e8], mechanical strength [9,10], and a wide range of technological prospects in such areas as nano-electronics [11e15], spintronics [16,17], plasmonics [18e20], biosensors [21,22], energy storage [23], and energy production [24].…”

Semiconductor-to-metallic flipping in a ZnFe 2 O 4 –graphene based smart nano-system: Temperature/microwave magneto-dielectric spectroscopy

“…Various strategies have been devised for the modification of graphene to improve the electrocatalytic properties and hence improve bio-sensing [14], drug delivery [15], and photoluminescence [16];reduce CO 2 foot prints [17];improve mechanical integrity and reduce gas permeability [18]; produce efficient electrode materials for Li-ion batteries [5]; and improve the photo catalytic activity [19], efficiency of oil exploration [20], and solar energy harvesting [21]. Nano hybrids of both graphene and functional ferrite nanocrystals have been studied in various aspects [22][23][24].There is growing interest to utilize the high magnetic permeability of graphene coupled with a complex iron oxide based formulation having high saturation magnetization in conjunction with the dielectric environment supported by the carbon backbone [25].…”