Investigation of Thermomechanical Properties of UHMWPE/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites Prepared by In situ Ziegler–Natta Polymerization

Abstract

The graphene‐based Ziegler–Natta catalyst has been used to prepare ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/graphene oxide (UHMWPE/GO) nanocomposite via in situ polymerization. The morphological investigations have been conducted using X‐ray diffraction patterns and scanning electron microscopy method. The obtained results indicated that no diffraction peak is detected in a GO pattern, which could be due to the exfoliation of graphene nanosheets in the UHMWPE matrix. Morphological investigations indicated that GO nanosheets are dispersed almost uniformly in polymeric matrix, and that there should exist a good interaction between nanofillers and matrix. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were studied, and the results showed that the Young (tensile) modulus and tensile strength of the prepared nanocomposites were significantly increased by increasing the filler content, which should be due to the high aspect ratio of GO plates and their uniform dispersion in the UHMWPE matrix. The thermogravimetery investigations reveal that the thermal stability of nanocomposites increase with increasing GO content and that initiation thermal decomposition temperature shifts to higher values.

SiO2‐covered graphene oxide nanohybrids for in situ preparation of UHMWPE/GO(SiO2) nanocomposites with superior mechanical and tribological properties

“…Furthermore, Bahrami et al . reported the effects of GO nanosheets loading on both mechanical and tribological characterizations of the UHMWPE/GO nanocomposites.…”

“…GO synthesis was performed based on Hummers' method reported in detail in our previous publications . A brief description is provided here.…”

“…GO synthesis was performed based on Hummers' method 60 reported in detail in our previous publications. 31,32 A brief description is provided here. In the first step to prepare graphite oxide, of graphite powder (10 g) was dispersed uniformly in sulfuric acid (25 mL).…”

“…Synthesis of Mg(OEt) 2 /GO(SiO 2 )-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst was performed based on our method presented our previous publications. 31,32,42,59 A brief description is provided here. GO(SiO 2 ) (5 g) and Mg(OEt) 2 (2 g) were added into a flask.…”

“…Among the new methods, progress of Ziegler-Natta catalysts, optimization of the synthesis processes and usage of the reinforcing agents in the polymer matrix could enhance all on-demand properties of the synthesized polymer. 12 In recent years, many attempts have been conducted to fabricate nanocomposites based on various types of PE such as UHMWPE containing different nanostructures such as carbon nanotube, 19,20 nanoclay, [21][22][23] SiO 2 , 24-28 graphene, 29,30 graphene oxide (GO), 31,32 and molybdenum disulfide. [33][34][35] Nevertheless, a challenging task for this field is fabrication of UHMWPE nanocomposites with uniformly dispersed fillers.…”