Novel improvement in processing of polymer nanocomposite based on 2D materials as fillers

Abstract

In 2004, a single-crystalline graphite film of atomic thickness was isolated [1]. The researchers responsible for this revolutionary work, Novoselov and Geim, were shortly thereafter awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 'innovative experiments with graphene' in 2010. Several researchers have used graphene (Gr), graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as mechanically reinforcing nanoparticles in polymeric matrices. The insertion of these two-dimensional (2D) materials considerably improves the mechanical properties of the polymers. They also increase the thermal and electrical conductivity and the dimensional stability of the composite when compared to the polymer matrix [2-7]. Important challenges still need to be overcome to produce polymer nanocomposites based on two-dimensional particles (graphene-based materials, molybdenum disulfide, hexagonal boron nitrite, and phosphorene among others) on a large scale. Essentially, there are three strategies for nanocomposites preparation: 1) solution mixing, 2) in situ polymerization, and 3) melt mixing. The first two options achieve excellent results in terms of particles dispersion, however,

Crystallization kinetics, structure, and rheological behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/multilayer graphene oxide nanocomposites

“…Before melt mixing the nanocomposites, the solid‐solid deposition technique was applied to perform a homogeneous mechanical deposition of the GO on top of the polymer granules, as described in the literature. [ 29 ] This method consists in using a rotary evaporator to deposit the exfoliated GO on the surface of the polymer powder, while the exfoliation medium (water) is evaporated. The main differentiating factor of this strategy is that it allows the exfoliated nanomaterial to be deposited over the polymer granules surface without them restacking to a bulky state.…”

“…This makes it economically and environmentally viable for the mass production of polymeric nanocomposites. [ 27‐29 ] Therefore, herein the melt compounding via twin‐screw extrusion was used to produce PET/mGO nanocomposites. The solid‐solid deposition technique was chosen for pre‐mixing the components.…”

“…The solid‐solid deposition technique was chosen for pre‐mixing the components. [ 29 ] This method is based on the deposition of a preexfoliated nanomaterial on the surface of polymer granules in a rotary evaporator equipment before extrusion. The main differentiating factor of this strategy is that it allows the exfoliated nanomaterial to be deposited over the polymer granules surface without them restacking to a bulky state.…”

Extrusion of Polymer Nanocomposites with Graphene and Graphene Derivative Nanofillers: An Overview of Recent Developments

“…PA/PP composites [80] have been modified by functionalized GO, finding that GO concentrations should be maintained lower than 1 wt.% in order to maximize mechanical resistance. Liquid-phase feeding (LPF), and solid-solid deposition (SSD) have been proposed by Muñoz et al [81] to reduce agglomeration of GO in order to scale the commercial processing of PS nanocomposites [82]. ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) has been reinforced by rGO [83], multi-walled carbon nanotubes or both nanofillers [84].…”

Functionalized Graphene-Based Materials as Innovative Adsorbents of Organic Pollutants: A Concise Overview

“…Moreover, unremoved functional groups, or surfactants on Chem-rGO treated surfaces can be easily detect by AFM technique through the appearance of roughness and wrinkles. Nanoparticles anchoring on graphene plane, such as magnetic α-Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 3 O 4 , MgO, SiO 2 , among others, are also detected by AFM topographies; particles with very different heights and sizes can be observed and measured through AFM images (Muñoz et al, 2018).…”