High electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness achieved by multiple internal reflection and absorption in polybenzoxazine/graphene foams

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is an increasingly severe issue in modern life and high-performance EMI shielding materials are in desperate need. To achieve high EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), a series of polybenzoxazine/graphene composites foams are developed using a simple sol–gel method. When the graphene loading increases from 1 to 20 wt%, the density of the composites foams drops from 0.4143 g/cm³ to 0.1654 g/cm³. Meanwhile, an electrically conductive path is formed at around 7 wt% of graphene. Below the percolation threshold, the dielectric constant increases with graphene content and composite foam with 5 wt% graphene shows dielectric constant of 10.8 (1 MHz). At the highest graphene content of 20 wt%, the electric conductivity reaches 0.02 S/cm, 10 orders of magnitude higher than pure polybenzoxazine foam. Benefiting from the high electrical conductivity and lightweight porous structure, the composite foam PF/20G delivers an EMI SE of 85 dB and a specific SE of 513.9 dB·cm³/g. Importantly, the EMI shielding is dominated by absorption attenuation, with PF/20G shows absorption ratio higher than 98% in the range of 8.4–11.0 GHz, which is believed to be caused by multiple internal reflection and absorption inside the conductive foam.     

High performance polyurethane composites with isocyanate‐functionalized carbon nanotubes: Improvements in tear strength and scratch hardness

A microwave‐assisted functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with isocyanate groups allowed a reduction of functionalization time from 24 h to 30 min with no change in the degree of functionalization or in the nanotube characteristics. Polymer nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties were obtained because of the tailored interface by the covalent linkage between the surface‐modified multiwalled‐carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and an elastomeric polyurethane (PUE) matrix. The mechanical data revealed that the composite containing 0.25 wt % of MWCNT‐NCO showed an increase of 31% in tear strength and 28% in static toughness. A good adhesion between the matrix and individually dispersed nanotubes was observed in the scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images. Nanoindentation and nanoscratch experiments were conducted to investigate the properties on the sub‐surface. An increase by a factor of 3 in the scratch hardness was observed for the composite with 0.50 wt % of MWCNT‐NCO with respect to the neat PUE. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44394.     

Electrical conductivity and tensile properties of block‐copolymer‐wrapped single‐walled carbon nanotube/poly(methyl methacrylate) composites

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites containing raw or purified single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are prepared by in situ polymerization and solution processing. The SWCNTs are purified by centrifugation in a Pluronic surfactant, which consists of polyethyleneoxide and polypropyleneoxide blocks. Both the effects of SWCNT purity and non‐covalent functionalization with Pluronic are evaluated. Electrical conductivity of PMMA increases by 7 orders of magnitude upon the integration of raw or purified SWCNTs. The best electrical properties are measured for composites made of purified SWCNTs and prepared by in situ polymerization. Strains at fracture of the SWCNT/PMMA composites are nearly identical to those of the neat matrix. A certain decrease in the work to fracture is measured, particularly for composites containing purified SWCNTs (?31.6%). Fractography and Raman maps indicate that SWCNT dispersion in the PMMA matrix improves upon the direct addition of Pluronic, while dispersion becomes more difficult in the case of purified SWCNTs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41547.     

Shielding effectiveness of carbon‐filled polycarbonate composites

In this project, varying amounts of three different carbons [carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP)] were added to polycarbonate (PC). The resulting single filler composites were tested for shielding effectiveness (SE). The effects of single fillers and combinations of two different carbon fillers were studied via a factorial design. At the highest single filler loadings, the following SE results were obtained at 800 MHz: 18.9 dB for 10 wt % CB/PC, 18.4 dB for 8 wt % CNT/PC, and 6.3 dB for 15 wt % GNP/PC. The highest SE value of 21.4 dB was measured for the 5 wt % CB/5 wt % CNT/PC composite and could be used in SE applications (typically > 20 dB is needed). Statistically significant equations were developed that could be used to predict the SE of composites containing these fillers. In addition, it was determined that the composite SE is higher than what would be expected from the additive effect of each single filler for the CB/GNP/PC composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42719.     

Dielectric properties of C60 and Sc3N@C80 fullerenol containing polyurethane nanocomposites

Polymer–fullerene nanocomposites consisting of linear polyurethane (PU) chains crosslinked via increasing loadings of polyhydroxylated fullerenes (C₆₀ and Sc₃N@C₈₀, a metallic nitride fullerene) were prepared and characterized for their mechanical and dielectric properties using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS). Fullerene–polymer networks [C₆₀‐PU and Sc₃N@C₈₀‐PU] having high gel fractions, good mechanical properties and thermal stabilities were produced. Polyhydroxylated fullerenes C₆₀(OH)₂₉ and Sc₃N@C₈₀(OH)₁₈ were synthesized in high yield through a high‐speed vibration milling method and characterized using FTIR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. DMA of fullerene–PU networks indicates T_g ～ ?50°C, with a sub‐T_g relaxation due to local chain motions. BDS analyses of the fullerenes, before and after hydroxylation and before incorporation into the networks, revealed one relaxation and large real permittivity (ε′) values for C₆₀(OH)₂₉ relative to C₆₀. Analogous samples for Sc₃N@C₈₀ exhibit two relaxations, where the extra relaxation is attributed to motions of the cage‐encapsulated Sc₃N clusters. ε′ values for Sc₃N@C₈₀‐PU at a given frequency are higher than corresponding values for C₆₀‐PU, likely because of the rotationally mobile Sc₃N encapsulates. Surface and bulk resistivities of fullerene–PU networks were found to have a modest dependence on relative humidity. Capacitance versus voltage characteristics of the fullerene–PUs were also studied in the range of the applied dc bias voltage of ?30 to +30 v. It is generally concluded, based on all the evidence that this class of materials can be rendered quite polarizable and could be used as high dielectric permittivity materials in capacitance applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40577.     

Thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Preparation,mechanical properties,thermal properties,and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

This study uses the solution mixing method to combine plasticized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a matrix, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcement to form PVA/MWCNTs films. The films are then laminated and hot pressed to create PVA/MWCNTs composites. The control group of PVA/MWCNTs composites is made by incorporating the melt compounding method. Diverse properties of PVA/MWCNTs composites are then evaluated. For the experimental group, the incorporation of MWCNTs improves the glass transition temperature (T_g), crystallization temperature, T_c), and thermal stability of the composites. In addition, the test results indicate that composites containing 1.5 wt % of MWCNTs have the maximum tensile strength of 51.1 MPa, whereas composites containing 2 wt % MWCNTs have the optimal electrical conductivity of 2.4 S/cm, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of ?31.41 dB. This study proves that the solution mixing method outperforms the melt compounding method in terms of mechanical properties, dispersion, melting and crystallization behaviors, thermal stability, and EMI SE. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43474.     

Electrical conductivity and mechanical performance of multiwalled CNT‐filled polyvinyl chloride composites subjected to tensile load

This article reports a study on the strain‐sensitive conductivity (tensoresistivity) and mechanical properties of polyvinyl chloride/multiwalled carbon nanotube (PVC/MWCNT) composites subjected to tensile loading at different strain rates for potential use in sensor‐enabled geosynthetics and other applications involving electrically conductive polymer composites. Results indicate that adding 0.5 wt % MWCNT to the composite results in 57% reduction in its ultimate (failure) strain and a fivefold increase in its tensile modulus while leaving its ultimate strength almost unchanged. Laser scanning confocal microscopy is used to investigate the microscopic failure mechanism of the composite and how it contributes to the strain‐sensitive conductivity of the composites. It is observed that tensile fractures are initiated from inside the largest bundles between 18% and 36% strain and continue through further fractal‐like fracturing in smaller bundles. Gauge factors (e.g., 3.17) comparable to or exceeding those of typical strain gauges are obtained for the composite, indicating its strong potential for structural performance monitoring and damage detection applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43665.     

Thermosetting polyurethane‐multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Thermomechanical properties and nanoindentation

In this study, composites based on a thermoset polyurethane elastomer (PU) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the case of a PU of high elastic modulus (>200 MPa) are analyzed for the first time. As‐grown and modified nanotubes with 4 wt % of oxygenated functions (MWCNT‐ox) were employed to compare their effect on composite properties and maxima mechanical properties (elastic modulus and tensile strength) were reached at 0.5 wt % of MWCNT‐ox. Furthermore, by examining the morphology using optical and electron microscopies better dispersion and interaction of the nanotube‐matrix was observed for this material. DMTA data supports the observation of an increase in the glass transition temperature of ～20°C in the nanocomposites compared with the thermoset PU, which is an important result because it shows extended reliability in extreme environments. Finally, nanoindentation tests allowed a comparison with the conventional mechanical tests by measuring the elastic modulus and hardness at the subsurface of PU and the nanocomposites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41207.     

Latex co‐coagulation approach to fabrication of polyurethane/graphene nanocomposites with improved electrical conductivity,thermal conductivity,and barrier property

This study describes a simple and effective method of synthesis of a polyurethane/graphene nanocomposite. Cationic waterborne polyurethane (CWPU) was used as the polymer matrix, and graphene oxide (GO) as a starting nanofiller. The CWPU/GO nanocomposite was prepared by first mixing a CWPU emulsion with a GO colloidal dispersion. The positively charged CWPU latex particles were assembled on the surfaces of the negatively charged GO nanoplatelets through electrostatic interactions. Then, the CWPU/chemically reduced GO (RGO) was obtained by treating the CWPU/GO with hydrazine hydrate in DMF. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman analysis showed that the RGO nanoplatelets were well dispersed and exfoliated in the CWPU matrix. The electrical conductivity of the CWPU/RGO nanocomposite could reach 0.28 S m^?1, and the thermal conductivity was as high as 1.71 W m^?1 K^?1. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the CWPU/RGO‐coated PET film was significantly decreased to 0.6 cm³ m^?2 day^?1, indicating a high oxygen barrier property. This remarkable improvement in the electrical and thermal conductivity and barrier property of the CWPU/RGO nanocomposite is attributed to the electrostatic interactions and the molecular‐level dispersion of RGO nanoplatelets in the CWPU matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43117.     

5‐Sulfoisophthalic acid monolithium salt doped polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites for EMI shielding application in X‐band (8.2–12.4 GHz)

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of highly conductive polypyrrole (PPy)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites prepared by in situ polymerization of pyrrole using 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid monolithium salt [lithio sulfoisophthalic acid (LiSiPA)] as dopant and ferric chloride as oxidant. Several samples were prepared by varying the amounts of MWCNTs ranging from 1 to 5 wt %. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images clearly show a thick coating of PPy on surface of MWCNTs. The electrical conductivity of PPy increased with increasing amount of MWCNTs and maximum conductivity observed was 52 S/cm at a loading of 5 wt % of MWCNTs. Pure PPy prepared under similar conditions had a conductivity of 25 S/cm. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) also showed a similar trend and average EMI shielding of ?108 dB (3 mm) was observed for sample having 5 wt % MWCNT in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz (X‐band). The light weight and absorption dominated total SE of ?93 to ?108 dB of these composites indicate the usefulness of these materials for microwave shielding. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45370.     

Carbon nanotubes‐filled thermoplastic polyurethane–urea and carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blend nanocomposites

This article reports the preparation and characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)‐filled thermoplastic polyurethane–urea (TPUU) and carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) blend nanocomposites. The dispersion of the MWCNTs was carried out using a laboratory two roll mill. Three different loadings, that is, 1, 3, and 5 wt % of the MWCNTs were used. The electron microscopy image analysis proves that the MWCNTs are evenly dispersed along the shear flow direction. Through incorporation of the nanotubes in the blend, the tensile modulus was increased from 9.90 ± 0.5 to 45.30 ± 0.3 MPa, and the tensile strength at break was increased from 25.4 ± 2.5 to 33.0 ± 1.5 MPa. The wide angle X‐ray scattering result showed that the TPUU:XNBR blends were arranged in layered structures. These structures are formed through chemical reactions of ? NH group from urethane and urea with the carboxylic group on XNBR. Furthermore, even at a very low loading, the high degree of nanotubes dispersion results in a significant increase in the electrical percolation threshold. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40341.     

Morphological,mechanical, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness characteristics of glass fiber/epoxy resin/MWCNT buckypaper composites

Glass fiber/epoxy resin composites (GF/EP) using one and three multi-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers (BP) were obtained and their complex parameters, reflectivity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) at X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) and Ku-band (12.4–18 GHz) were evaluated. The preparation of BP used polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers (PF These composites show both large storage and energy loss capacity in both bands revealing promising results related to EMI SE applications. Besides, a high attenuation of around 67% and 72% were achieved for BP based composites. The cross-section view of the buckypaper and the laminates was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The incorporation of the CNT film into the laminates showed no improvements in the elastic properties through dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA). Nevertheless, a decrease in the shear properties by the compression shear test (CST) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) has been observed. GF/EP/BP/PF composite presented a reduction of 29 and 39% in its ILSS properties compared to the base laminate (GF/EP). Also, the decrease was even more significant, revealing a steep reduction in its CST properties. On the other hand, the removal of the pan nanofiber (PF) led to better mechanical properties for GF/EP/BP/RPF composites. Results have shown ILSS values of 47.4 ± 2.2 MPa which are close to the base laminate (52.4 ± 3.1 MPa). The removal of the PF provided larger porous in the CNT network, making the impregnation by epoxy easier in the BP/RPF which resulted in improved shear properties compared to GF/EP/BP/PF samples.     

Thermal conductivity augmentation of composite polymer materials with artificially controlled filler shapes

Plastics or polymers of high thermal conductivity are highly desired in various industries. Adding fillers of high thermal conductivity to the base materials is a solution to make composite plastics of high thermal conductivity. Previous researches were focused on increasing the thermal conductivity of the composite materials by increasing the filler content and the thermal conductivity of the fillers. Relatively little attention was paid to the optimization of filler shapes. In this study, the effects of the filler shapes on the thermal conductivity of the composite materials are investigated, where the filler shapes are artificially designed. Heat conduction between the base materials and the artificially designed fillers is modeled. It is found that the filler shapes have great impacts on the effective thermal conductivity of the composite materials. Of the various shapes, the double Y shaped fillers are found to be the best choice for composite materials in which the fillers are distributed randomly. In future industrial applications, new filler shapes, such as double Y, Y, quad Y shaped, I and T shapes should be specially produced to replace the traditional fillers shapes: particles, fibers or slices. At last, composite materials made of paraffin wax and steel fillers of ten shapes are fabricated to simulate and validate the results. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39550.     

Electrical,mechanical, and crystallization properties of ethylene‐tetrafluoroethylene copolymer/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were melt‐mixed in a conical twin‐screw extruder with a random copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene. Surprisingly, the electrical percolation threshold of the resultant composites was quite low; ～0.9 wt %. In fact, this value is as low or lower than the value for most MWCNT/semicrystalline polymer composites made with roughly equivalent aspect ratio tubes mixed in a similar manner, for example, melt mixing. This low percolation threshold, suggestive of good dispersion, occurred even though the polymer surface energy is quite low which should make tubes more difficult to disperse. Dynamic mechanical measurements confirmed the rather low percolation threshold. The effect of nanotubes on crystallization kinetics was quite small; suggesting perhaps that a lack of nucleation which in turn reduces/eliminates an insulating crystalline polymer layer around the nanotubes might explain the low percolation threshold. Finally, the modulus increased with the addition of nanotubes and the strain at break decreased. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41052.     

AC impedance analysis and EMI shielding effectiveness of conductive SBR composites

Flexible conductive polymer composites were prepared using styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) as a matrix and conductive carbon black as filler. The filler loading was varied from 10 to 60 phr. The complex AC impedance and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the composites were measured at the microwave frequencies of 7.8–12.4 GHz. The effect of variation in filler concentration and measurement frequency on the AC impedance and EMI SE of the composites were investigated. Equivalent circuits describing the conduction behavior of the composites were determined by means of Nyquist plots. The complex electric modulus of the composites was also determined. Increase in the filler loading increased the capacitive nature of the materials. The composites were better defined by a parallel resistor–capacitor circuit in series with a resistor. The EMI SE was found to pass through a maximum with increase in frequency. However, with the increase in filler loading and sample thickness of the material, the EMI SE was found to increase continuously. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:1342–1349, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Electromagnetic interference shielding properties of PEDOT/PSS–halloysite nanotube (HNTs) hybrid films

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(4‐styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) films hybridized with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were for the first time investigated for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The hybridization of the HNTs induced EMI properties for the pristine PEDOT/PSS films, and the content of the HNTs in the hybrid films significantly influenced the EMI properties of the hybrid films. The highest EMI shielding effectiveness of the hybrid film is ?16.3 dB in the measured frequency range from 2 to 13 GHz for the PEDOT/PSS film hybridized with 75% HNTs, using a sample with 4.5 mm thick. The contribution of EMI shielding effectiveness in the hybrid films is mainly due to dielectric loss rather than magnetic loss. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44242.     

Improved conductivity and thermal stability by the formation of a charge‐transfer complex in β‐nucleation‐agent‐nucleated and MWCNT‐filled iPP composites

In this study, the influence of β‐nucleation agent (β‐NA) on the morphology and properties of multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) filled isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites was explored in details. The results show that the incorporation of β‐NA has promoted the dispersion of MWCNT in the iPP matrix, which is profitable for improving the thermal stability and conductivity properties of MWCNT‐iPP composites. Besides, the 0.05 wt % β‐NA nucleated samples exhibit higher impact toughness than that of un‐β‐NA‐nucleated ones. Further SEM observations show that the morphology of MWCNT changes from large agglomerations to small clusters with doping of β‐NA. The main reason is that the incorporation of β‐NA (TMB‐5) in MWCNT filled iPP matrix has led to the formation of a charge‐transfer complex. Some of these clusters act as nucleation sites for inducing crystallization of α spherulites, which have a compete growth with β‐NA induced β crystals. Meanwhile, other clusters exist in the inter‐lamella amorphous phase of β crystals, some of them even combine two adjacent β spherulites. Accordingly, a large conductive network comes into being. Based on the investigated results, a mechanism model is proposed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Selective localization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in epoxy/polyetherimide system and properties of the conductive composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were introduced into the diglycidyl ether of a bisphenol A/polyetherimide (DGEBA/PEI) system. A co-continuous phase structure could be formed by the reaction-induced phase separation (RIPS). The MWCNTs localized selectively in PEI-rich phase which was predicted by theoretical calculations of the wetting coefficient (ω_a) and then confirmed both by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The thermomechanical properties of DGEBA/PEI/MWCNTs were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis. As the MWCNTs content increased from 0.5 to 1.0 wt %, storage modulus had a tendency of increasing monotonically from 2491 to 2948 MPa and the values of T_g for epoxy-rich phase were almost unchanged at about 130 °C. Subsequently, the result of electrical and thermal properties measurement for composites indicated that their volume resistivity decreased from 3.29 × 10¹⁵ to 3.86 × 10⁶ at 2.0 wt % MWCNTs and thermal conductivity were improved by 36.1% at the same time. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47911.     

Sonication‐induced self‐assembly of polymeric porphyrin–fullerene: Formation of nanorings

In this article, we detail the sonication‐induced self‐assembly of polymeric porphyrin and fullerenes into distinct nanorings in solution form. The formation of these trenchant superstructures was the result of the delicate choice of different assembly protocols, solvents, and polymeric tails associated with porphyrin and fullerene. In this study, the sonication supposedly directed the lateral aggregation into uniform ring formation. The sonication time was found to be the key parameter in ring formation. Furthermore, the flexibility of polymeric arms and electronic interactions of porphyrin–fullerene gave rise to synergistically enhanced molecular interactions, and this resulted in discrete morphologies. Key optical data, including the absorption maxima of the complexes, and microscopic studies attested to the nature and morphology of the self‐assembled complexes. This introduction of polymeric arms and sonication protocols in the porphyrin self‐assembly was expected to allow the easy formation of diverse morphologies. Because of the facile fabrication process and uniform morphology, the resulting composite architectures might show promising applications in drug‐delivery and advance materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43537.     

Preparation of chitosan–graphene nanosheet composites with enhanced electrochemical and mechanical properties

In this study, we proposed an alternative way to produce graphene nanosheet (GNS)/chitosan (CS) composites. Graphite‐intercalating compounds (GICs) were prepared by graphite and m‐chloroperbenzion acid (M‐CPBA) as starting materials. The GNS–CS composites were produced through the mixing of the GICs into CS and the removal of impurities in the final step. X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that graphite could be effectively exfoliated by an intercalating agent (M‐CPBA) and the GNSs were homogeneously dispersed into the CS matrix. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the electrochemical behavior and mechanical properties of the GNS–CS composites were significantly improved with a low level of GNSs in CS. The redox peak current increased 509%, and the modulus and hardness of the GNS–CS composites increased by 2.7 and 0.15 GPa, respectively, when the GNSs addition was 0.6 wt %. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45104.