Mechanical and Electrical Properties and Electromagnetic-Wave-Shielding Effectiveness of Graphene-Nanoplatelet-Reinforced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites have attracted global attention as a metal replacement for electrical and electronic applications. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are widely used as a nanoreinforcement to enhance the functional and structural properties of thermoset and thermoplastic polymers. In the present study, ABS nanocomposites were prepared by reinforcing 3–15 wt.% GNPs in steps of 3 wt.%. The neat ABS and ABS+GNP nanocomposite specimens for the mechanical test were prepared using injection molding, followed by extrusion, as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. It was found that the modulus of ABS improved due to the reinforcement of GNPs. Additionally, we noticed higher thermal stability of nanocomposites due to the faster heat-conducting path developed in the nanocomposites by the presence of GNPs. However, observed agglomeration of GNPs at higher concentrations and poor wetting with ABS led to the deterioration of the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Moreover, 350 µm thick nanocomposite films were manufactured by compression molding, followed by the extrusion method, and we investigated their electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, permittivity, and electromagnetic-wave-shielding effectiveness. The developed nanocomposites showed improved conductivity and effective electromagnetic wave shielding by absorption. The 15 wt.% GNP-reinforced ABS composite film showed a maximum shielding effectiveness of 30 dB in the X-band.

Recent developments in sustainable EM wave shielding composites- review

“…The higher concentration of PDLA has more influence on the crystallization of polymer, which breaks the distributed MWCNTs in it, adversely affecting network formation and leading to reduced σ and SE. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are widely used as a reinforcement material to enhance SE by increasing its concentration in most synthetic composites [41]. Few researchers have attempted to develop GNP-reinforced biodegradable composites for EM radiation shielding applications.…”

Enhancing the Strength of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene with Gas-Phase-Synthesized Graphene for Injection-Molding Applications

“…6−18 However, graphene flakes derived from graphite have several drawbacks that have limited the performance of the nanomaterials in polymers, including defects, multiple graphene layers, and a propensity to aggregate and restack in polymer matrices. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]20,21 Exfoliating bulk graphite into graphene powder also typically requires hazardous chemicals that give rise to liquid waste that is detrimental to the environment, 1,2,10,22 which makes the sustainable mass production of GNCs a challenge. High-quality and aggregation-resistant graphene sheets created through environmentally friendly processes are still needed for the large-scale manufacturing of injection-molded GNCs.…”

“…Enhancing the strength-to-weight ratio of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) can significantly benefit society because the engineering thermoplastic is widely used in the injection molding manufacturing of automotive parts, aircraft components, and consumer electronic devices. − The mechanical properties of ABS have been enhanced by reinforcing the plastic with GO, RGO, and GNP. − However, graphene flakes derived from graphite have several drawbacks that have limited the performance of the nanomaterials in polymers, including defects, multiple graphene layers, and a propensity to aggregate and restack in polymer matrices. ,− ,, Exfoliating bulk graphite into graphene powder also typically requires hazardous chemicals that give rise to liquid waste that is detrimental to the environment, ,,, which makes the sustainable mass production of GNCs a challenge. High-quality and aggregation-resistant graphene sheets created through environmentally friendly processes are still needed for the large-scale manufacturing of injection-molded GNCs.…”

“…Graphene is a single layer of covalently bonded carbon atoms with remarkable mechanical properties that can be harnessed to strengthen polymers. − Graphene-filled polymer-matrix nanocomposites (GNCs) continue to generate extraordinary interest in the scientific community, as evidenced by the thousands of reports on the topic that were published over the last three years alone (Figure S1). Research into GNCs has been facilitated by the wide availability of graphene manufactured through the exfoliation of graphite (Figure S1) such as graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP).…”

“…For instance, the effect of a higher GSG content on the strength of ABS remains unknown. Filler aggregation has limited the optimal loading of graphene produced by top-down processes to below 5 wt % in ABS. ,,,, GSG resists aggregation, which could enable the continuous strengthening of ABS as the amount of GSG is increased. The melt mixing of GSG and ABS can also be performed to determine if the observed results are due to the acetone dissolution approach.…”