Thermal Decomposition and Stability of Hybrid Graphene–Clay/Polyimide Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polyimide matrix nanocomposites have gained more attention in recent years due to their high thermal stability, good interfacial bonding, light weight, and good wear resistance and corrosion, factors that make them find great applications in the field of aerospace and advanced equipment. Many advancements have been made in improving the thermal, mechanical, and wear properties of polyimide nanocomposites. The use of nanofillers such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, clay, and alumina has been studied. Some challenges with nanofillers are dispersion in the polymer matrix and interfacial adhesion; this has led to surface modification of the fillers. In this study, the interaction between clay and graphene to enhance the thermal and thermal-oxidative stability of a nanocomposite was studied. A polyimide/graphene nanocomposite containing ~12.48 vol.% graphene was used as the base nanocomposite, into which varying amounts of clay were added (0.45–9 vol.% clay). Thermogravimetric studies of the nitrogen and air atmospheres showed an improvement in thermal decomposition temperature by up to 50 °C. The presence of both fillers leads to increased restriction in the mobility of polymer chains, and thus assists in char formation. It was observed that the presence of clay led to higher decomposition temperatures of the char formed in air atmosphere (up to 80 °C higher). This led to the conclusion that clay interacts with graphene in a synergistic manner, hence improving the overall stability of the polyimide/graphene/clay nanocomposites.

Remarkable tailoring of thermal and dielectric properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite via hydrothermal grown ZnAl layer di hydroxide nanostructures and graphene fillers

“…In the case of PVA nanocomposites, the shift toward the higher onset degradation temperature may correspond to the strong interaction between the LDH and graphene layer. The introduction of LDH and graphene fillers creates a barrier to prevent oxygen diffusion in the PVA matrix and lowers the degradation of the PVA nanocomposites 48 . Moreover, the good dispersion of the fillers caused by the polar solvent may also played an important role in enhancing the thermal stability of the polymer.…”

“…The introduction of LDH and graphene fillers creates a barrier to prevent oxygen diffusion in the PVA matrix and lowers the degradation of the PVA nanocomposites. 48 Moreover, the good dispersion of the fillers caused by the polar solvent may also played an important role in enhancing the thermal stability of the polymer.…”

Nanobrick Wall Multilayer Thin Films with High Dielectric Breakdown Strength

“…This higher T d5% can be attributed to the significantly higher inorganic loading in the PEI + BMT/PAA + VMT nanocomposite. Higher inorganic loading in a nanocomposite has been known to increase the T d5% of a nanocomposite regardless of its thermal conductivity …”

Evaluation of three-component boron-free glass fiber/TiO2/polyimide nanocomposite properties prepared by 3D turbula dispersion and spark plasma sintering method

“…And these improvements give the polymer the quality to meet extreme requirements in some special application. 14 However, one focus of the present work is to uncover the synergistic interaction of BGF and TiO 2 nanoparticles in improving the corrosion resistance of polyimide material either for coating and/or most engineering applications. As past studies posit that polyimide material is prone to moisture penetration, interfacial failure, and moderate life.…”

“…12 However, among polymers, polyimides are presently a promising polymer material so desirable of anti-corrosion, insulation, and mechanical friction component material for automobile, aerospace, microelectronic device, and other industrial applications. [13][14][15][16] Thus, to ascertain the expected improvement in polyimide composites characteristics, researchers are of the opinion that it is important to realise a very good fiber-matrix interface interaction, which will promote effective stress transfer from the matrix to the fiber fillers. 17,18 The improvements reportedly focused on strengthen fiber-polyimide composites to meet extreme requirements so essential in some special conditions with the incorporation of micro or nano particles.…”