Effects of titanate treatment on morphology and mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelets/high density polyethylene nanocomposites

The effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and titanate coupling agent on morphology and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites was investigated. The titanate has a tendency to link chemically with the two dissimilar species GNPs and HDPE via proton coordination to generate a complete continuous phase for stress/strain transfer via the elimination of air voids and hydrophobicity. The interaction of titanate with GNPs and HDPE was effective to improve the dispersion of GNPs in HDPE composites. At constant weight (1 wt %) of titanate treatment for 2 and 5 wt % HDPE composites, we clearly observed a significantly high value of tensile strength and elongation at break than untreated composites. Particularly, composite containing 2 wt % GNPs in HDPE with titanate showed 66.5% improvement of the ultimate tensile strength and an enormously high value of elongation at break. The effect of GNPs dispersion and orientation in HDPE for the mechanical reinforcement was also evaluated based on the experimental modulus data to theoretical predictions made using the Halpin‐Tsai model. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42073.     

Decoration of graphene oxide nanosheets with amino silane‐functionalized silica nanoparticles for enhancing thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene nanocomposites

Graphene oxide nanosheets were decorated by amino‐silane modified silica nanoparticles. An electrostatic interaction between the negative charge of oxygen‐containing groups of graphene oxide and the positive charge of amino‐silane functional groups on the surface of silica nanoparticles plays a major role for the interfacial interaction of these two materials. The hybrid material was then used as a reinforcement in polypropylene (PP) composite. The increasing tensile strength at yield, tensile, and flexural modulus of the PP composite at a graphene oxide‐ amino‐silane silica loading content of 20 wt % are about 24.81, 55.52, and 30.35%, respectively, when compared with those of PP. It is believed that GO assists the dispersion of SiO₂ nanoparticles to the polymer matrix because of its unique structure having hydrophilicity due to its oxygen functional groups and hydrophobicity owing to its backbone graphitic carbon structure. This hybrid material may also be used as the reinforcement in other polyolefins. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44382.     

Characterization and mechanical properties of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets reinforced polyethylene terephthalate/polypropylene composites

Recently, graphene and its derivatives have been used to develop polymer composites with improved or multifunctional properties. Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) reinforced composite materials based on blend of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP) compatibilized with styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene‐g‐maleic anhydride is prepared by melt extrusion followed by injection molding. Characterization of the composites' microstructure and morphology was conducted using field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Tensile and impact strengths of test specimens were evaluated and the results showed maximum values at 3phr GNP in both the cases. Morphological studies showed that the GNPs were uniformly dispersed within the matrix. Results from XRD analysis showed uniformly dispersed GNPs, which may not have been substantially exfoliated. FTIR spectroscopy did not show any significant change in the peak positions to suggest definitive chemical interaction between GNP and the matrix. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40582.     

Time-dependent properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced high-density polyethylene

The deformation of polymers at constant applied stress is one of their major drawbacks, limiting their use in advanced applications. The study of this property using classical techniques requires extensive testing over long periods of time. It is well known that reinforced polymers show improved behavior over time compared to their neat counterparts. In this study, the effect of adding different amounts of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the time-dependent properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is investigated using short-term creep tests and load/unload recovery tests. The results are discussed in terms of the test profile and the influence of loading history. Viscoplasticity/viscoelasticity analysis is performed using Zapas model and by comparing creep, creep compliance and pure viscoelasticity curves. The results show that the reinforcement of 15 wt% GNP have the most significant effect on the time-dependent behavior, reducing the strain by more than 50%. The creep compliance curves show that nano-reinforced HDPE behaves nonlinearly viscoelastically even at very low stresses. In addition to demonstrating the effect of nano-reinforcement, the discussion of the results concludes that the influence of loading history can be quite significant and should not be neglected in the design and evaluation of material behavior.     

Evaluation of thermomechanical properties of polyvinyl butyral nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets synthesized by in situ polymerization

In this work, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) nanocomposites reinforced with 0.5 to 2.5 wt % of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were synthesized via in situ polymerization. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that PVB/GO 2.5 wt % nanocomposites present the largest storage modulus, with increases of 10 °C in the PVB glass transition temperature. The degree of entanglement and the reinforcement efficiency factor (C coefficient) were evaluated using the dynamic mechanical analysis results and correlated with scanning electron microscopy analyses. The degree of entanglement and C coefficient values were higher for PVB/GO 2.5 wt %, enabling the enhancement of PVB mechanical properties. The adhesion factor A was used to evaluate the interfacial interaction, evidencing an improvement in the nanoparticle/matrix adhesion for PVB/GO 2.5 wt % caused by interactions between GO oxygenated groups. For the samples reinforced with GNP, the results of storage modulus, degree of entanglement, coefficient C, and adhesion factor A were not significantly modified, due to weak interfacial interactions with PVB, preventing the exfoliation of GNP in PVB during the in situ polymerization process. Therefore, in situ polymerization will improve the dispersion and final properties of the nanocomposite with PVB only if the nanoparticle has a relevant interfacial interaction during the synthesis process. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46157.     

Preparation and evaluation of composites containing polypropylene and cotton gin trash

Composites of polypropylene (PP) and cotton gin trash (GT) were prepared to enhance the utilization of agro-based materials in industrial products. GT was modified by two methods: toluene washed only, and toluene washed and treated with maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP). These GT samples were extruded with PP, including MAPP and ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer in various weight ratios (32 composites total). The PP composites displayed tensile strengths close to that of the neat PP, and exhibited higher values of tensile modulus and lower elongation at break than the neat PP. Based on DSC measurements, the PP composites containing 10 wt% GT exhibited two crystalline regimes, while those containing 20 wt% GT were similar in crystallinity to that of the neat PP. The composites were also characterized using SEM, TGA, water absorption tests, and contact angle measurements. These composites represent a more sustainable alternative to neat, fossil fuel-based PP.     

Reduction in percolation threshold of injection molded high‐density polyethylene/exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets composites by solid state ball milling and solid state shear pulverization

Previous work showed that high density polyethylene (HDPE)/exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) nanocomposites fabricated with melt extrusion followed by injection molding had a relatively high percolation threshold of between 10 and 15 vol % GNP loading. To lower the percolation threshold of injection molded HDPE/GNP nanocomposites, two special processing methods were investigated: solid state ball milling (SSBM) and solid state shear pulverization (SSSP). Results have confirmed that the percolation threshold of HDPE/GNP nanocomposites could be reduced to between 3 and 5 vol % GNP loading by these two approaches. The mechanism by which SSBM and SSSP are capable of producing lower percolation is to coat the polymer surface with GNP platelets which facilitates the formation of conductive networks during injection molding. However, it was found that HDPE/GNP nanocomposites obtained from these two techniques exhibited lower mechanical properties at high GNP loadings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Thermal,electrical, and mechanical properties of polyethylene–graphene nanocomposites obtained by in situ polymerization

In this study, we investigated the thermal, dynamic mechanical, mechanical, and electrical properties of polyethylene (PE)–graphene nanosheet (GNS) nanocomposites, with GNS amounts from 0 to 20 wt %, prepared by in situ polymerization. The thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and showed that the addition of GNSs to the polyolefin matrix increased the onset degradation temperature by 30°C. The electrical conductivity, measured by the impedance technique, presented a critical percolation threshold of 3.8 vol % (8.4 wt %) of GNS. A slight decrease in the tensile strength was found. On the other hand, dynamic mechanical analysis showed an increase in the storage modulus of the nanocomposites compared with that of neat PE. The glass‐transition temperature value increased from ?111°C (neat PE) to ?106°C (PE/6.6 wt % GNS). All of these results show that PE became stiffer and thermally more stable and could be transformed from an insulator to a semiconductor material in the presence of GNSs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

The effect of component addition order on the properties of epoxy resin/polyurethane resin interpenetrating polymer network structure

Epoxy resin (ER) is one of the most important synthetic resins, but it has the disadvantage of lacking impact resistance. However, it can be improved by mixing with polyurethane resin (PU). In this study, Epon 828, triethylenetetramine (TETA), polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) were used as raw materials to prepare ER/PU interpenetrating polymer network structures (IPNs) by three different blending processes. The results showed the reactivity between TETA and IPDI were greater than that between TETA and ER. When ER/TETA/PTMG/IPDI/DBTDL were mixed at the same time, or ER and PU resins were prepared separately and then mixed, the ER/PU composites produced had a phase separation inside the structure. The most appropriate blending method was to mix ER with PTMG, IPDI, DBTDL first, and then add TETA after 10 min. The composite formed had a uniform appearance, and had better physical, mechanical, and thermal properties than the others did.     

Extrusion of polypropylene/chitosan/poly(lactic-acid) films: Chemical,mechanical, and thermal properties

Development of extruded films composed of biopolymers blended with synthetic polymers aims to minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste-materials and lead to the sustainable plastic industry. To produce biodegradable polymeric blends, the weight content of biopolymers must be maximum without compromising the performance properties of the extruded films. Using a solvent-free extrusion method, films composed of polypropylene, poly(lactic-acid), and Chitosan, can be obtained with the use of polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride and glycerol as compatibilizer and plasticizer, respectively. Extruded films with up to a 50 wt% content of biopolymers show acceptable thermal and mechanical properties, where the use of compatibilizer improves the processing characteristics and homogeneous distribution of chitosan throughout the films. Therefore, the extruded films can be considered as alternatives to conventional synthetic-polymer films, due to their acceptable mechanical and thermal properties with direct potential applications in extrusion-method mass production of biodegradable polymers.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of graphite nanoplatelets reinforced polyarylene ether nitriles/bisphthalonitrile IPN system

A new type of graphite nanoplatelets (GN) reinforced polyarylene ether nitriles (PEN)/bisphthalonitrile (BPh) interpenetrating polymer network with high strength and high toughness was synthesized and characterized. The results showed that GN and PEN had obvious synergistic effect on its properties of resulted BPh composites. Compared to pure BPh, with a loading of 10 wt % PEN and 10 wt % GN, the obtained composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties. In these systems, the flexural toughness and strength of BPh resin could be enhanced with the incorporation of PEN; meanwhile, GN could further improve the flexural modulus and thermal stability lowered by PEN. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Thermal and mechanical properties of polyamide 12/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites and parts fabricated by fused deposition modeling

The printable polyamide 12 (PA12) nanocomposite filaments with 6 wt % graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) for fused deposition modeling (FDM) were prepared by melting compounding and smoothly printed via a commercial FDM three‐dimensional (3D) printer. The thermal conductivity (λ) and elastic modulus (E) of 3D printed PA12/GNPs parts along to the printing direction had an increase by 51.4% and 7% than that of compression molded parts, which is due to the GNPs preferentially aligning along to the printing direction. Along with these improved properties, ultimate tensile strength of 3D printed PA12/GNPs parts was well maintained. These results indicate that FDM is a new way to achieve PA12/GNPs parts with enhanced λ over compression moulding, which could contribute to realize efficient and flexible heat management for a wide range of applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45332.     

Effect of fused deposition modeling process parameters on the mechanical properties of recycled polyethylene terephthalate parts

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) filaments made of recycled materials are desirable for environmentally friendly and sustainable manufacturing of prototypes and load-bearing components in many applications. We investigate the effect of FDM process parameters on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) filaments. Increasing the nozzle temperature from 230°C to 260°C improves the strength of the specimens by 100%. Using a raster orientation parallel to the loading direction improves the ductility by more an order of magnitude. Specimen orientation and infill ratio also influence the mechanical properties. The temperature and the orientation effects are related to the quality of fusion between the printed lines. A modified Gibson-Ashby model correctly predicts the strength as a function of the infill ratio. Through the optimization of process parameters, the mechanical strength of 3D-printed rPET structures can reach that of injection-molded PET, making FDM a suitable manufacturing technique for load-bearing applications.     

Effect of the spin-line temperature profile on the mechanical properties of melt electrospun polyethylene fibers

The covid-19 pandemic has revealed the need for alternative production approaches with low startup costs like electrospinning for filter needs, the most imperative element of the personal protective equipment (PPE). Current attempts in advancing melt electrospinning deal with developing strategies for fiber diameter attenuation toward sub-micron scale. Here, the attunement in the spinning-zone temperature known as ''spin-line temperature profile'' was utilized as a baseline for fiber diameter reduction. The mechanical performance of the melt-electrospun linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) fibers is reported to characterize their structural transformation with respect to various spin-line temperature profiles. With an increase in the spin-line temperature to above 100°C in the area of cone formation, an increased tensile and yield strength along with fiber diameter reduction by four-folds was demonstrated. A significant increase in toughness, by almost three times, without compromising the stiffness and Young's modulus was observed. The dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that spinning in high temperatures produces changes in the alpha (α) relaxation, contributing to the significant increase in strain at break. These results are significant because polyolefin fibers are an imperative element of medical textiles and PPE. Therefore, developing a correlation for process-structure-properties for emerging production techniques like melt electrospinning becomes critical.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of chitosan reinforced polyhydroxybutyrate composites

The article reports the results of studies on the effect of chitosan (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt %) on thermal and mechanical properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate) composites. The addition of chitosan causes an increase in the glass transition temperature (T_g) while a decrease in the enthalpy of fusion (ΔH_fus), crystallization (ΔH_cry) and percentage of crystallinity as determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The thermogravimetric analysis reveals that high amount of chitosan decreases the thermal stability of the composites. The Young's modulus of the composite increases and is high for the composite having 40 wt % of chitosan. Increase in the amount of chitosan decreases the elongation at break and impact strength of composites. Finally, the Young's modulus of the composites has been compared with the theoretical predictions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effect of surfactant on EG dispersion in EVA and thermal and mechanical properties of the system

The influence of expanded graphite (EG) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) modified EG on the structure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) was investigated in this study. The EVA filled with EG platelets, with and without anionic SDS modification, was prepared by melt mixing using a Brabender Plastograph mixer. The extent of dispersion and morphology of the composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The optical microscopy results show better distribution of the modified EG platelets in the EVA matrix, while the SEM results show an improved interfacial adhesion between the polymer and the SDS‐EG particles. Both the EVA18 copolymer and the EG platelets have monoclinic phases, and both EG and SDS do not seem to have any influence on the melting and crystallization behavior of the EVA18. The addition of EG enhanced the thermal stability of EVA18, and this stabilizing influence was further improved when the EG was treated with SDS. All the tensile properties of EVA/EG improved after surface modification. The storage modulus of EVA generally increased with increasing both the unmodified EG and the SDS modified EG content. There was a shift in the T_g to higher temperatures with an increase in both the EG and modified EG content. The α‐relaxation peak in the SDS modified EG curves was less intense than the β‐relaxation peak, even for the untreated EG composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41352.     

Dopamine‐functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) elastomer with melt processability and self‐healing properties

A dopamine‐functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) elastomer with melt processability and self‐healing properties was prepared by a new chemical route of graft modification, that is, PVA carboxylation and a carbodiimide reaction. The conventional modifier for PVA sacrificed the intrinsic hydrogen‐bonding interactions and dramatically decreased the mechanical strength. The modifier dopamine, as a catechol derivative, has two hydroxyl groups, which formed hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of PVA; it also has one benzene ring, which increased the thermal stability. We found that the introduction of dopamine into the PVA molecular structure lowered the melting point, improved the thermal stability, broke the crystalline structure, and enabled thermal processing. Moreover, the modified PVA possessed good mechanical properties, could be self‐healed, and is believed to have potential applications in many fields. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45072.     

Multiscale simulation of the interlaminar failure of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced fibers laminate composite materials

This article presents a multiscale approach to derive the interlaminar properties of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)-based polymeric composites reinforced by short glass fibers (SGFs) and unidirectional carbon fibers (UCFs). The approach accounts for the debonding at the interface of a 2-phases GNPs/polymer matrix using a cohesive model. The resulting composite is used within a 3-phases nanocomposite consisting either of a GNPs/polyamide/SGFs or a GNPs/epoxy/UCFs nanocomposite. Experiments are performed for determining the interlaminar fracture toughness in mode I for the GNPs/epoxy/UCFs. Results show that the aspect ratio (AR) of GNPs influences the effective Young modulus which increases until a threshold. Also, the addition of the GNPs increases up to 10% the transverse Young modulus and up to 11% the shear modulus as well as up to 16% the transverse tensile strength useful in crashworthiness performance. However, the nanocomposite behavior remains fiber dominant in the longitudinal direction. This leads to a weak variation of the mechanical properties in that direction. Due to the well-known uniform dispersion issues of GNPs, the interlaminar fracture toughness G_IC has decreased up to 8.5% for simulation and up to 2.4% for experiments while no significant variation of the interlaminar stress distribution is obtained compared to a nanocomposite without GNPs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47664.     

Effect of functionalized graphene oxide with phosphaphenanthrene and isocyanurate on flammability,mechanical properties,and thermal stability of epoxy composites

Maleic anhydride, 9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide, and 1, 3, 5-triglycidyl isocyanurate functionalized graphene oxide (GO) was prepared in this paper. The resultant phosphorus-nitrogen functionalized GO called GOMT was homogeneously dispersed and incorporated into diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A to prepare composites. The char residue of GOMT/EP composites increased and its LOI value increased to 28.1% with UL-94 V-1 rating. T _g of composite containing 1 phr GOMT increases to 165.6 °C, and the storage modulus of the sample with 3 phr GOMT was increased by 19% compared with pure EP. Furthermore, the elastic modulus and flexural strength of epoxy composite with 5 phr GOMT were increased by 17.9 and 26.7% at room temperature, respectively. Besides, the incorporation of GOMT into EP significantly reduces the PHRR and THR of the matrix. Therefore, the as-designed GOMT not just obviously enhances the flame retardancy with low loading but raises the mechanical behavior and thermal stability of epoxy resins. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48761.     

Influences of diallyl phthalate as chain extender on the properties of high molecular weight poly(vinyl chloride) resin

A higher porosity with better thermostability is desirable for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) resin. In this study, high molecular weight PVC resins are prepared by vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)‐diallyl phthalate (DAP) suspension copolymerization in a 20‐L reactor at 50 °C using DAP as chain extender. SEM, BET, and analyses of plasticizer absorption results show the high molecular weight poly(vinyl chloride) (HPVC) by DAP‐VCM copolymerization is loose and porous. With increasing DAP content when the mass ratio of DAP/VCM (ω) is below the gel point, the porosity and the degree of polymerization increase. Nevertheless, the bulk density and particle size decrease. When more than the gel point, these relationships are reversed. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the HPVC had better thermostability than that of commercial PVC, and its thermostability increases with increasing ω before it reaches the gel point. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45093.