Graphene/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites

Abstract

Thermoplastic polyurethane/graphene nanocomposites were successfully prepared by mixing masterbatches with neat polymers using the melt compounding process. Graphene was obtained from graphite by the chemical mean. Graphite was initially converted into graphite oxide which was then converted to graphene oxide. Graphene oxide was then reduced by L-ascorbic acid to obtain graphene. The effects of graphene addition on thermal and morphological properties of nanocomposite were studied by a differential scanning calorimeter, a thermal gravimetric analyzer and a scanning electron microscope. TPU/graphene nanocomposites showed higher melting temperature compared to TPU. On the other hand, heat of fusion of nanocomposites was lowered. TPU and TPU/graphene nanocomposites have two steps of decomposition. The first degradation of TPU occurred at higher temperature compared with nanocomposites but the second degradation showed the opposite results. The percentage of residue after thermal degradation of nanocomposites was lower than that of TPU. For surface morphology, nanocomposite exhibited the rougher surface comparing with TPU and well graphene dispersion in TPU phase was achieved. Nevertheless, there were some agglomeration of graphene.

Graphene stripping, a convenient and environmentally friendly technology for the preparation of polyurethane/graphene nanocomposites as a new type of highly wear‐resistant materials

“…In the field of wear resistance, more and more non‐metallic materials are being used, such as ceramics, quartz and other inorganic materials or polyformaldehyde (POM), rubber, and other organic materials. As a multifunctional block polymer 1 with excellent wear performance, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) plays an important role in daily life and industrial production. In addition to excellent friction and wear performance, it also has both the elasticity of rubber and the toughness of plastic, high strength, good elasticity, excellent wear resistance, deflection, shock absorption and skid resistance, 2,3 and can be used as elastic fibers, tires, insulators, artificial organs, and other materials 4–6 .…”

Enhanced thermally conductive TPU/graphene filaments for 3D printing produced by melt compounding

“…In order to improve the material performance in the mentioned applications, nano-or micro-fillers can be introduced into the polymer matrix aiming to improve both thermal and electrical conductivity. 5,6 Therefore, conductive materials can be used in a variety of modern applications such as conducting adhesives, antistatic coatings, and electromagnetic interference shielding for electronic devices. 7 This is made possible by the addition of commercially available conductive nanofillers, for example, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) to a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix, which leads to improvements in mechanical properties as well as introduces electrical conductivity to the material.…”

“…In order to improve the material performance in the mentioned applications, nano‐ or micro‐fillers can be introduced into the polymer matrix aiming to improve both thermal and electrical conductivity 5,6 . Therefore, conductive materials can be used in a variety of modern applications such as conducting adhesives, antistatic coatings, and electromagnetic interference shielding for electronic devices 7 .…”

Novel Synthesis of Core-Shell Biomaterials from Polymeric Filaments with a Bioceramic Coating for Biomedical Applications

“…Figure 4a presents the TPU thermogram, where a mass loss of 100% was recorded at around 356 • C, suggesting a low thermal stability [60]. The complete degradation of the polymer is accomplished in a singular step, in the range 380-430 • C. In addition, at lower temperatures, down to 380 • C [61], the DTG curve presents a mass loss of only 2%.…”