Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)‐induced compatibilization and reinforcement of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) binary polymer blend

Abstract

Compatible blends of nonreactive thermoplastic fluoropolymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) at 70/30 weight ratio, were prepared by utilizing the unique structural feature of reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Here, RGO acts as a compatibilizer as well as a reinforcing filler. RGO interacts with both polymers and reduces the interfacial tension between them, leading to compatibilization. RGO content in the blends was varied from 0 to 0.5 wt %, and the best result was found at 0.3 wt % loading. Excellent compatibilization between PVDF and TPU was established by mechanical, morphological, and thermal property studies. Chemical interaction between the RGO/TPU and RGO/PVDF was proved by FTIR-ATR study. With the incorporation of 0.3 wt % RGO, tensile strength, Izod impact strength, and elongation at break of the blend were increased by 42%, 83%, and 43%, respectively. FESEM and AFM images of blends without loading of filler after etching out of TPU phase show nonuniformly distributed hole morphology. RGO-containing blend has shown much finer and uniformly distributed holes that confirm improved compatibility between the two incompatible polymers. RGO also improves the thermal stability of the compatible blends considerably. At 0.3 wt % loading, the onset of thermal degradation increased by about 10 C.

A new type low-cost, flexible and wearable tertiary nanocomposite sensor for room temperature hydrogen gas sensing

“…The residual oxygen containing functional groups present in the rGO interact with PVDF nanomaterials and hybridize with SnO 2 . Between the PVDF and rGO molecules, three types of interaction occur 23 . First, the interaction between πelectrons of rGO and CH 2 dipoles of PVDF, second is the interaction between F/H atoms of PVDF with the OH group present in rGO, and third is the interaction between F/H atoms of PVDF with the carbonyl and carboxyl group present in rGO.…”

Leveraging Shape Memory Coupled Piezoelectric Properties in Melt Extruded Composite Filament Based on Polyvinylidene Fluoride and Polyurethane

“…has improved the mechanical and thermal properties of the blends in the presence of r‐GO. [ 20 ] The presence of r‐GO had also influenced the multifunctional properties of the prepared chitosan‐based hydrogels. [ 21 ] PU dispersions with specific soft segments in union with PVDF is reported to have imparted superior gas permeability.…”

Kinetic aspects of concentration of solid nanoparticles at the interface in polystyrene–polyethylene mixtures

“…For mixtures of incompatible polymers, there is a known interesting and practically significant phenomenon when solid filler particles concentrate at the interface between the polymer phases …”

“…For instance, its use allows obtaining electrically conductive polymer materials with a very low concentration of an electrically conductive filler . It has been demonstrated that the concentration of finely dispersed particles at the interface can raise the strength of incompatible polymer mixtures by several times . There is substantial experimental evidence of compatibilization of incompatible polymer mixtures due to the filler localizing at the interface between the polymer phases .…”

“…It has been demonstrated that the concentration of finely dispersed particles at the interface can raise the strength of incompatible polymer mixtures by several times . There is substantial experimental evidence of compatibilization of incompatible polymer mixtures due to the filler localizing at the interface between the polymer phases . The compatibilization takes the form of reduction in the size of the dispersed polymer component drops.…”