Development of polymer composites using modified, high-structural integrity graphene platelets

Jun, Ma and Meng, Qingshi and Zaman, Izzuddin and Zhu, Shenmin and Michelmore, Andrew and Nobuyuki, Kawashima and Wang, Chun H. and Kuan, Hsu-Chiang (2014) Development of polymer composites using modified, high-structural integrity graphene platelets. Composites Science and Technology, 91 (NIL). pp. 82-90. ISSN 0266-3538

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Abstract

Previous studies on polymer/graphene composites have mainly utilized either reduced graphene oxide or graphite nanoplatelets of over 10 nm in thickness. In this study we covalently modified 3-nm thick graphene platelets (GnPs) by the reaction between the GnPs’ epoxide groups and the end-amine groups of a commercial long-chain surfactant (Mw = 2000), compounded the modified GnPs (m-GnPs) with a model polymer epoxy, and investigated the structure and properties of both m-GnPs and their epoxy composites. A low Raman ID/IG ratio of 0.13 was found for m-GnPs corresponding to high structural integ- rity. A percolation threshold of electrical conductivity was observed at 0.32 vol% m-GnPs, and the 0.98 vol% m-GnPs improved the Young’s modulus, fracture energy release rate and glass transition tem- perature of epoxy by 14%, 387% and 13%, respectively. These significantly improved properties are cred- ited to: (i) the low Raman ID/IG ratio of GnPs, maximizing the structural integrity and thus conductivity, stiffness and strength inherited from its sister graphene, (ii) the low thickness of GnPs, minimizing the damaging effect of the poor through-plane mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of graphene, (iii) the high-molecular weight surfactant, leading to uniformly dispersed GnPs in the matrix, and (iv) a covalently bonded interface between m-GnPs and matrix, more effectively transferring load/electron across interface.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	A. Functional composites; A. Nano composites; A. Nano particles; B. Fracture toughness; B. Interface Graphene (nominated)
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1080-1185 Polymers and polymer manufacture T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP200-248 Chemicals: Manufacture, use, etc.
Divisions:	Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering > Department of Mechanical Engineering
Depositing User:	Miss Nur Rasyidah Rosli
Date Deposited:	17 Jan 2022 02:56
Last Modified:	17 Jan 2022 02:56
URI:	http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/5627

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