Influence of functionalized polypropylene on polypropylene/graphene oxide nanocomposite properties

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) derived from oxidation of natural graphite contains many active groups that can interact with a great variety of polar moieties. In this work, polypropylene (PP)/graphene oxide nanocomposites using polypropylene (PP) grafted with amine‐alcohol (PPgDMAE) as compatibilizer were prepared by two different methods. Maleic anhydride grafted PP (PPgMA) was reacted with 2‐[2‐(dimethylamine)‐ethoxy] ethanol (DMAE) in the melt for forming amine‐alcohol functionalized polypropylene (PPgDMAE). Nanocomposites were prepared by two methods. In one method, PP/GO nanocomposite was prepared by direct melt mixing in an internal batch mixer using PPgDMAE as compatibilizer. In another method, a previous mixing of PPgDMAE with GO in hot Xilene was done and then, once the solvent was evaporated, it was incorporated into PP by melt‐mixing. The microstructure and interface enhancement of the prepared composites were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, X‐ray difraction (DRX) contact angle, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (STEM), mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties measurements. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the interaction between GO and PPgDMAE. The loading of GO conducted to enhance the composite mechanical properties attributed to the strong interfacial interactions between GO and PPgDMAE. A significant improvement in mechanical thermal stability and electrical properties was observed when nanocomposites were prepared by the solution blending method compared with melt mixing method. This work suggests a potential application of GO in preparation of high performance PP composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1361–1369, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

Graphene Oxide and Vermiculite Clay Combinations to Produce Enhanced Flame Retardant Polypropylene Composite with Low Magnesium Hydroxide Loading

“…In addition, the disappearance of the band at 1784 cm −1 of the MA caused by the ring opening and the appearance of a new signal at 1737 cm −1 , corresponding to CO of the ester group confirms the interaction between DMAE and MA according to the reaction proposed elsewhere. [ 15,25 ]…”

“…This could be attributed to the strong interactions between amine groups of DMAE and hydroxyl and oxidized groups in the OVMT and modified GO as is schematized in Figure 10. [ 15,25 ] According to these results, from here on, it was decided to continue using only PP‐gDMAE as compatibilizer.…”

“…Oxidation of natural flake graphite can promote the formation of 2D lamellae of graphene oxide (GO) which is characterized by a large number of randomly distributed hydrophilic functional polar groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, epoxide, ether, ester, and carboxylate groups. [ 14,15 ] GO as the precursor of graphene with a two‐dimensional layered structure and a high number of functional groups that could be easily functionalized by flame‐retardant compounds or polymers. [ 16 ] GO has superior thermal property and barrier effect that can inhibit the oxygen diffusion and toxic gas release that make itself promising in application in the field of flame‐retarded materials.…”

Influence of graphene‐based compounds on the mechanical toughness and thermal stability of polypropylene

“…Besides being used in reinforcement applications, graphene improves electrical conductivity, barrier, and charge transport . Graphene oxide (GO) is obtained by the oxidation of graphite, and it has different oxygen groups: hydroxyl, carbonyl, epoxide, and carboxylate groups . Reduction of GO into reduced GO (RGO) results in partially restoring the sp 2 character, lost during the oxidation of graphite.…”

Mechanical performance of re-extruded and aged graphene/polypropylene nanocomposites

“…The best improvement in the tensile strength and the highest electrical conductivity were obtained using PP‐GO at 1.0 wt%. Sánchez‐Valdes et al . prepared PP/GO nanocomposites using PP grafted with amine‐alcohol (PPgDMAE).…”