Influence of graphene–carbon nanotubes and processing parameters on electrical and dielectric properties of polypropylene nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs) on the microstructure, electrical conductivity and relative dielectric permittivity of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites were investigated in relation to the melt compounding parameters. Although CNTs/GNs can significantly improve the conductivity and permittivity of PP nanocomposites, more significant results can be obtained by using optimal fabrication parameters. For optimal melt processing parameters using Taguchi optimization method, electrical conductivity and relative dielectric permittivity of about 3.08 × 10−5 S/m and 158.97 were achieved, whereas only about 1.34 × 10−11 S/m and 2.02 were measured for pure PP respectively. Therefore, this study showcased optimal melt compounding process parameters for the endless future research on PP-CNTs/GNs nanocomposites for various advanced engineering applications. This will also guide future research on the uniform use of melt fabrication parameters for proximity in comparison of results published on PP-CNTs/GNs nanocomposites.

Morphology, Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Isotropic and Anisotropic PP/rPET/GnP Nanocomposite Samples

“…For this reason, the incorporation of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix is often employed to enhance performance, and this has become an issue of interest in academia and industry [3,4]. In this respect, graphene has attracted a great deal of attention due to its capacity to improve the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer nanocomposites and their behavior to thermomechanical and photooxidative degradation [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. In addition, the presence of GnPs enhances the effect of elongated flow, which, consequently, improves mechanical properties with the draw ratio of nanocomposites compared to the matrix alone [9].…”

Waterborne polymer composites containing hybrid graphene/carbon nanotube filler: Effect of graphene type on properties and performance

“…There are reports on solvent‐free synthesis of the polymer composites based on hybrid carbon, such as melt extrusion, 29 melt compounding, 30 hot compaction (compression) 31,32 or fused filament fabrication 3D printing, 10 however, these techniques are usually time and energy consuming and the aggregation of the filler is more pronounced.…”

“…Besides, often thermal treatment at temperatures from 70 to 200 C 10,11,[22][23][24] are implemented either to dissolve the polymer 24 or to induce precipitation, 11 drying, 10,11,22,23 annealing, 24 or mixing of the nanomaterial and the polymer. 22 Carbon nanomaterial hybrid/resin composites were prepared in similar manner, by dispersion of the pristine carbon nanomaterial 25 within the resin, in ethanol, 26 THF 27 or water 28 followed by degasification 25 or removal of the solvent by drying in oven, [26][27][28] and finally by curing the resin at temperatures between 60 and 160 C. [25][26][27] There are reports on solvent-free synthesis of the polymer composites based on hybrid carbon, such as melt extrusion, 29 melt compounding, 30 hot compaction (compression) 31,32 or fused filament fabrication 3D printing, 10 however, these techniques are usually time and energy consuming and the aggregation of the filler is more pronounced.…”

Investigation of electrical and electromagnetic properties of quartz fiber reinforced polymer composite material by using modified paints with carbon nanoparticles (graphene/double-walled carbon nanotube)

“…6 There are also studies in which the composite material is produced with the new mixture obtained by reinforcing the conductive nanoparticles into the matrix material in the structure of the composites and the changes in the electrical conductivity of these materials are measured. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] According to these studies, since an intervention is made to the internal structure of the material for electrical permeability research, it has been reported that in this application, besides the increase in electrical conductivity, its mechanical properties also changed.…”

“…This situation contributes to the reduction of faults caused by static electricity, thus reducing the cost of maintenance and materials, and in parallel with more efficiently use of the material. Since FRP composites are also used in the construction of the radome, which protects the weather radar located at the front of the aircraft, it is aimed to increase the electrical conductivity while keeping or increasing the electromagnetic permeability of the composite in the X band (8)(9)(10)(11)(12). While having the electromagnetic permeability occured at the specified targets, it is also aimed to contribute the operation of the radome protecting the weather radar or not to effect its operation.…”