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

Abstract

A study of the improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites prepared with polypropylene (PP) and different graphene samples [graphene oxide (GO), reduced GO (RGO), and commercial graphene (G)] is presented. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization were applied to the graphene samples. The nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, XRD, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), tensile, and impact resistance tests. PP/RGO nanocomposites showed significant improvement in mechanical and thermal properties. Sample PP/RGO-0.75 resulted in an increment in Young's modulus (51%), tensile strength (24%), and elongation at break (15%). This is attributed to a good dispersion state, a higher crystallinity percentage, and a good interfacial adhesion between PP and RGO. Sample PP/RGO-0.50 exhibited an increase of 197 C in the temperature at which a loss in weight of 5% occurred, compared to that for pure PP. The height of stacked layers calculated by XRD measurements was similar to the value observed by TEM.

Improved impact property of long glass fiber‐reinforced polypropylene random copolymer composites toughened with beta‐nucleating agent via tunning the crystallization and phase

“…As shown in Figure 16, the fracture surface of glass fiber presents relatively smooth before adding β ‐NA, while more matrix remains on the glass fiber owing to the enhanced interface adhesion between glass fiber and matrix after adding β ‐NA. [ 50 ] …”

Graphene-Based Polymer Nanocomposites Preparation and Their Advantages

“…Presenting intermediate properties to graphene and GO, such as good thermal and chemical stability and excellent electrical conductivity [6,7], reduced graphene oxide (rGO) comes from the reduction of oxygen in graphene oxide through a chemical or thermal process [5].…”

Obtaining and evaluation of polyethylene nanocomposites with graphene nanoplatelets through in‐situ ethylene polymerization

“…It is clear that highshear mixing exfoliation technique of graphite has been not completely optimized in order to obtain lower or single sheets of graphene materials; particularly, to our knowledge, there are few studies focused on high-shear mixing in aqueous systems. [22,23] Composites conformed by thermoplastic matrices and a particulate filler are commonly prepared by mechanical mixing of the components above the melting temperature of the polymer [24] or by solution blending. [25] Mechanical kneading is however unable to promote fine and homogeneous dispersion of the filler, particularly at high filler contents, where particle aggregation results in extremely brittle materials.…”