Studies on synthesis and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐bentonite clay composite by emulsion polymerization and simultaneous in situ clay incorporation

Well‐dispersed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)–bentonite clay composite was synthesized by emulsion polymerization using methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and 3% sodium carbonate treated bentonite clay. The composite lost its transparency normally encountered with the neat PMMA. The composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vicat softening point (VSP), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and tensile studies. The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic forced microscopy (AFM) as well. The crystallography was studied to estimate the changes in crystallographic planes by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The particle size distribution was compared amongst neat bentonite clay, neat PMMA and the composite. The FTIR spectra reveal the fact that no new primary valence bond is formed between the clay and PMMA. The thermal stability of the composite is significantly improved, as indicated by the TGA and VSP studies. A substantial increase in glass transition temperature (T_g) approximately, 10°C was recorded from the DMTA as both the storage modulus and tan δ values underwent inflexion at higher temperatures in case of the composite compared with the pristine PMMA. The XRD pattern indicates increase in basal “d” spacing for the composite. The morphology from both the SEM and AFM is quite supportive to well‐dispersed exfoliation. The incorporation of nanosized activated clay particles in PMMA during its in situ polymerization from MMA led to the formation of nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

高电活性石墨烯/聚苯胺纳米复合材料的制备和表征

采用了一种简单有效地方法制备了高电活性的石墨烯/聚苯胺复合材料。首先,将苯胺在氧化石墨烯（GO）的水性分散液中氧化聚合,制备了氧化石墨烯/聚苯胺（GO/PANI）,再将GO/PANI与水合肼反应,制得还原-氧化石墨烯/聚苯胺（R（GO/PANI））。利用透射电子显微镜（TEM）,热失重分析（TGA）和循环伏安法（CV）对GO/PANI和R（GO/PANI的形貌,热稳定性和电化学性能进行了分析研究。结果表明,GO表面存PANI,且R（GO/PANI）的热稳定性和电活性都明显高于GO/PANI。     

The thermal and mechanical properties of a polyurethane/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite

A polyurethane/multi-walled carbon nanotube elastomer composite was synthesized. The microstructure of the composite was examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composite were characterized by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and tensile testing. The chemical linkage of carbon nanotubes with polyurethane matrix was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectra. The study on the structure of the composite showed that carbon nanotubes could be dispersed in the polymer matrix well apart from a few of clusters. The results from thermal analysis indicated that the glass transition temperature of the composite was increased by about 10 °C and its thermal stability was obviously improved, in comparison with pure polyurethane. The investigation on the mechanical properties showed that the modulus and tensile strength could be obviously increased by adding 2 wt% (by weight) CNT to the matrix.     

Aerospace Application of Polymer Nanocomposite with Carbon Nanotube,Graphite, Graphene Oxide,and Nanoclay

In this review, potential and properties of carbon nanotube, graphite, graphene oxide, and clay nanofiller have been deliberated with reference to aerospace application. The polymers discussed as matrices are polypropylene, polyaniline, polyurethane, polystyrene, and polyamide. Main focus of the review is to converse space competency of polymer/carbon nanotube, polymer/graphite, polymer/graphene oxide, and polymer/clay nanocomposite. The effect of nanofiller addition on the desired aerospace properties of polymeric nanocomposite has been conversed. Attractive features are high glass transition temperature, thermal stability, high modulus, chemical resistance, and nonflammability. Toward the end, challenges in the enhancement of materials’ properties for aerospace relevance have been considered.     

Effect of nanoclay on mechanical and thermal properties of triblock SBS (styrene–butadiene–styrene) and its binary blend nanocomposites: comparison between polyethylene and polystyrene

ABSTRACT

In this study, the effect of organo-modified nanoclay (OMMT) on the mechanical and thermal properties of SBS and its blend with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene was investigated. The effect of nanoclay content in the presence of LDPE or PS on the final properties of SBS was studied by tensile tester, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Addition of nanoclay affected the mechanical and rheological properties. From X-ray and DMTA results, it was found that due to more affinity between the nanoparticles and the SBS/PE blend, the 2 theta characteristic peak of nanoclay shifted to lower angles. SEM studies showed better dispersion and lower inter-particle distance of nanoparticles in SBS/PE composites in comparison with SBS/PS and SBS composites, confirming the XRD and DMTA results. It can be concluded that nanoclay acts as a compatibilizer in the SBS/LLDPE blend. TGA studies showed higher stability of SBS/PS composites compared to SBS and SBS/PE ones.     

Epoxy/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer/clay ternary nanocomposite as impact toughened epoxy

Epoxy resins have low impact strength and poor resistance to crack propagation, which limit their many end use applications. The main objective of this work is to incorporate both acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) and organically modified clay (Cloisite 30B) into epoxy matrix with the aim of obtaining improved material with the impact strength higher than neat epoxy, epoxy/clay and epoxy/ABS hybrids without compromising the other desired mechanical properties such as tensile strength and modulus. Impact and tensile properties of binary and ternary systems were investigated. Tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength were increased significantly with incorporation of only 4 phr ABS to epoxy matrix. For epoxy/clay nanocomposite with 2.5% clay content, tensile modulus and strength, and impact strength were improved compared to neat epoxy. With incorporation of 2.5% clay and 4 phr ABS into epoxy matrix, 133% increase was observed for impact strength. Ternary nanocomposite had impact and tensile strengths greater than values of the binary systems. Morphological properties of epoxy/ABS, epoxy/clay and epoxy/ABS/clay ternary nanocomposite were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) phase imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). New morphologies were achieved for epoxy/ABS and epoxy/ABS/clay hybrid materials. Exfoliated clay structure was obtained for epoxy/clay and epoxy/ABS/clay nanocomposite.     

Graphene nanosheets prepared by low-temperature exfoliation and reduction technique toward fabrication of high-performance poly(1-butene)/graphene films

Thermal exfoliation and reduction of graphene oxide (GO) were performed to prepare graphene nanosheets at 300 °C under the ambient atmosphere without any supplementary conditions. The microstructure and morphology of the resulting graphene nanosheets were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electric microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The composite films based on poly(1-butene) (PB) and graphene nanosheets were prepared successfully through solution blending and compression molding. The morphological investigation suggested that the graphene nanosheets with nanoscale thickness achieved a homogeneous dispersion in the PB matrix. The composite films exhibited a sharp transition from insulating state to the conducting one with a low percolation threshold, followed by a high electrical conductivity at graphene content higher than 1.6 vol %. The composite films also achieved high dielectric constant with low dielectric loss due to the effective electrical conductive path established by graphene nanosheets in a local range. Moreover, the mechanical evaluation demonstrated that a considerable reinforcement was achieved for the composite films due to the strong interfaces between the graphene nanosheets and PB matrix. The introduction of graphene nanosheets not only enhanced the nucleation capability and crystallinity of PB domain but also improved the thermal stability of the composite films. In addition, the composite films showed an increase in storage modulus and a decrease in loss factors due to the incorporation of graphene nanosheets.     

氮化铝/氧化石墨烯对环氧树脂胶黏剂导热性能的影响

使用硅烷偶联剂KH-560对氮化铝进行了表面改性,并以其为导热填料,环氧树脂为基体,制备了氮化铝/环氧树脂导热胶黏剂。采用FTIR、SEM、TG、热常数分析仪对导热胶黏剂进行了表征。结果表明:改性后硅烷偶联剂分子成功接枝在氮化铝表面。改性后,氮化铝与环氧树脂的界面粘结力增强,热稳定性和导热性均得到明显改善。当氮化铝质量为导热胶黏剂质量的70%时,改性氮化铝/环氧树脂热胶黏剂的导热系数为2.24W/(m·K),而未改性氮化铝/环氧树脂的导热系数仅为1.73W/(m·K)。为进一步提高其导热性能,制备了改性氮化铝/氧化石墨烯/环氧树脂导热胶黏剂,当改性氮化铝和氧化石墨烯的质量分数分别为50%和3%时,导热胶黏剂导热系数为3.05 W/(m·K)。     

Wet-spinning assembly of continuous and macroscopic graphene oxide/polyacrylonitrile reinforced composite fibers with enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite microfibers with different contents of graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated via wet-spinning route in this work. Based on nonsolvent-induced phase separation theory, N,N-dimethyl formamide/water mixture system was employed as coagulation bath, nonsolvent (water) diffused into PAN spinning solution and led to a quick PAN fiber solidification. Nematic liquid crystal state of GO dispersions and GO/PAN spinning solutions were determined via polarized optical microscopy images, and the morphology and structure of the composite fibers were characterized via scanning electron microscope, Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and X-ray diffraction. 1 wt % GO/PAN composite fibers exhibited outstanding mechanical properties, 40% enhancement in tensile strength and 34% enhancement in Young's modulus compared with pure PAN fiber. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the composite fiber with 1 wt % GO performed the best thermal mechanical property with 5.5 GPa and 0.139 in storage modulus and loss tangent, respectively. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of the composite fibers enhanced with the increasing GO contents. GO/PAN composite fibers can be as the candidate of carbon fiber precursor, high performance fibers, and textiles applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46950.     

Preparation of polyester resin/graphene oxide nanocomposite with improved mechanical strength

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted huge scientific interest due to its unique physical and chemical properties as well as its wide‐scale applicability including facile synthesis and high yield. Here, we report preparation of nanocomposites based on GO and unsaturated polyester resin (PE). The synthesized samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile strength measurements. A good dispersion of the GO sheets within the resin matrix was observed from the morphological analysis. A significant enhancement in mechanical properties of the PE/GO composites is obtained at low graphene loading. Around 76% improvement of tensile strength and 41% increase of Young's modulus of the composites are achieved at 3 wt % loading of GO. Thermal analysis of the composite showed a noticeable improvement in thermal stability in comparison to neat PE. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

HDPE/功能化石墨烯复合材料制备及性能研究

氧化石墨烯(GO)具有较高的比表面积,层间距大,表面拥有丰富的官能团,可以很好地分散到聚合物中,但GO导电性差。研究对GO进行还原和表面修饰,以改善石墨烯和HDPE的相容性。采用熔融混炼法制备了HDPE/石墨烯复合材料,结合力学性能、导电性能、微观结构测试,考察不同HDPE/石墨烯复合材料的导电阈值,分析影响复合材料导电性的因素,进而得出较优化的制备工艺。研究发现石墨烯添加量为7.5%时,导电通路开始形成,当石墨烯含量达到7.5%时,拉伸强度提升22.14%,拉伸模量提升21.19%。     

Effects of different kinds of clay and different vinyl acetate content on the morphology and properties of EVA/clay nanocomposites

A series of EVA/clay nanocomposites and microcomposites have been prepared via melt-blending. Using four kinds of EVA with different vinyl acetate (VA) contents: 28, 40, 50 and 80 wt%, and four kinds of clay: three are organophilic clay (OMMT) and one unfunctionalized clay (Na-MMT), the effects of different VA content of EVA and the kinds of the clay on the morphology and properties of EVA/clay nanocomposites were systematically investigated. In previous studies, there are only two distinct nanostructures to distinguish polymer/clay nanocomposites: the intercalated and the exfoliated. But in this paper, we proposed a new nanostructure—‘the wedged’ to describe the dispersion degree of clay in nanocomposites, it means the sheets of clay were partly wedged by the chains of polymer. The wedged, the intercalated and the partially exfoliated structures of EVA/clay nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The enhanced storage modulus of EVA/clay nanocomposites was characterized by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The enhanced degree in the storage modulus of the OMMT on EVA/clay nanocomposites with the partially exfoliated and intercalated structure is much higher than that with wedged structure, and that with the higher VA content is higher than that with the lower. The thermal stabilities of EVA/clay nanocomposites were also studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Fabrication of polypyrrole/graphene oxide nanocomposites by liquid/liquid interfacial polymerization and evaluation of their optical,electrical and electrochemical properties

A novel route has been developed to synthesize polypyrrole (PPy)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites via liquid/liquid interfacial polymerization where GO and initiator was dispersed in the aquous phase and the monomer was dissolved in the organic phase. The synthesized samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet–visible absorption (UV–vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical and electrical conductivity measurements. A good dispersion of the GO sheets within the PPy matrix was observed from the morphological analysis. The composites exhibited noticeable improvement in thermal stability and electrical conductivity in comparison to pure polypyrrole. The composites showed excellent electrochemical reversibility at the scan rate of 0.1 V/s and good cyclic stability even up to 100th cycle. Newly developed graphene oxide based polypyrrole composite could be applied in electrochemical energy storage device.     

Preparation and characterization of chitosan/montmorillonite‐K10 nanocomposites films for food packaging applications

Chitosan (CS)/montmorillonite‐K10 (MMTK‐10) clay composite films with different amounts of the clay MMTK‐10 (0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5%) were prepared using a solution‐casting method, and their properties were determined. The objective of this study is to prepare CS/clay nanocomposites and then to investigate the effects of clay content on mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of these nanocomposites. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Barrier properties (oxygen and water permeability), mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation), and thermal behaviors (thermogravimetric analysis) were investigated and compared. The water vapor and gas permeability values of the composite films decreased significantly with increasing filler concentration. Tensile strength of the composites increased significantly with the addition of clay, and elongation at break decreased with increasing clay concentration. The tensile strength of nanocomposites is up to 34.82 MPa for 5 wt% clay content, and the tensile modulus shows a 74.63% higher value than that of neat CS. The resulting films had an opaque appearance, which depended on the amount of MMTK‐10 added. The oxygen permeability decreased with the increase in MMTK‐10. The minimum oxygen permeability (1.54 cm³/m² day atm) was recorded for film with 5% MMTK‐10. The water permeability of the composite films decreased significantly between 13 and 22% when clay was added. The dispersed clay improves the thermal stability and enhances the hardness and elastic modulus of the matrix systematically with the increased loading of clay. POLYM. COMPOS., 33:1874–1882, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and in vitro,bulk, and surface investigation of chitosan/graphene oxide composite films

Chitosan/graphene oxide (GO) composite films were prepared by solution blending method. Intensive characterization of films, surface, and bulk, was performed by Fourier transmission infrared spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and mechanical test. The biocompatibility of chitosan/GO films was tested in vitro on the murine osteoblastic cell line MC3T3‐E1. By incorporating 6 wt% GO into chitosan, Young's modulus and tensile strength values exceed those of nacre by about 60 and 20%, respectively. Biocompatibility assays indicated a high cell proliferation rate for the composite films with high GO content. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:2116–2124, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of latex-based isotactic polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

Polypropylene/clay nanocomposite (PCN) containing 1 wt% organo-modified clay was prepared by latex technology, previously successfully applied for preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/polymer composites. The level of dispersion of organoclay and the microstructure of the resulting PCNs were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results have demonstrated that the latex technique represents a promising method for preparation of PP/clay nanocomposites with good dispersion of exfoliated nanoclay particles. The influence of clay nanoparticles on nonisothermal crystallization of PCN was investigated by DSC. The crystallization onset temperature of the matrix rises for about 5 °C when crystallizing from the quiescent melt. Improved thermal stability of PP/nanoclay was observed as evaluated by TGA. The dynamic mechanical analysis reveals an increase in storage modulus of PP matrix in the nanocomposites for 30% over a temperature range, indicating an increase in the stiffness of the material with the addition of organically modified clay.     

氧化石墨烯改性磺酸型水性聚氨酯的制备与性能研究

首先对石墨进行氧化处理制备氧化石墨(GO),然后对GO进行超声处理得到氧化石墨烯(GOs),并通过共混法制备了水性聚氨酯(WPU)/GOs复合材料。讨论了超声分散以及GOs加入量对WPU/GOs复合材料力学性能和热稳定性的影响。结果表明,经过超声分散的复合材料的力学性能比未超声分散的好;随着GOs含量的增加,复合材料的拉伸强度先增大后减小,断裂伸长率逐渐减小;加入质量分数0.50%的GOs,其WPU/GOs复合材料的热分解温度可提高44.7℃,明显提高WPU的热稳定性。     

石墨烯气凝胶/二十烷相变材料的制备及性能研究

以氧化石墨烯（GO），二十烷（Eicosan）为原料，先采用胶体团聚法制备还原-氧化石墨烯气凝胶，再通过自扩散获得了还原氧化石墨烯气凝胶/二十烷复合相变材料,研究了复合材料与性能的关系。采用热重和差示量热扫描仪测试了二十烷和复合材料的热性能，确认了二十烷质量分数对复合材料的焓值的关系以及相变循环次数对材料稳定性的影响。结果表明：复合材料的焓值与二十烷的质量分数成正比；经过50次相变循环后，PCM4仍然保持稳定性。导热性能分析表明, 还原氧化石墨烯气凝胶可以改善二十烷的热导率。此外，通过太阳光模拟测试，计算出复合材料的光热转换效率为55%。     

Chemically Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide as Additives in Polyethylene Composites for Space Applications

The discovery of radiation-shielding materials remains a critical technology to enable long-term space travel and extraterrestrial colonization. Hydrocarbon polymers, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are among the best radiation attenuators due to their rich H content and lightweight. Due to their simple chemical structure that lacks larger heteroatoms, HDPE is also resistant to numerous radiation-induced degradation pathways that often limit the applicability of more sophisticated polymers. One drawback of hydrocarbon polymers is their inferior mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and impact toughness, relative to metals and other high-performance polymer systems. In this report, we develop an alkylated reduced graphene oxide that is used as an additive to enhance the storage and tensile moduli of HDPE by 10–15% across the lunar temperature range. These additives outperform unmodified reduced graphene oxide by 30% due to better dispersion through the polymer matrix as observed by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:86–94, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

New poly(phenylene oxide)/polystyrene blend nanocomposites with clay: Intercalation,thermal and mechanical properties

We present the first study and results on the preparation and characterization of montmorillonite clay filler based polymer blend nanocomposites of the miscible poly(phenylene oxide)/polystyrene blend. Intercalated nanocomposites, prepared by a melt‐processing method with 2–6 wt % commercially available organically modified sodium montmorillonite, have been characterized with wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy analysis, thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry), and mechanical tensile tests. We show that nanocomposites can be successfully prepared in a batch mixer at temperatures much below the conditions conventionally used for this blend without organic degradation. Thermal stability is enhanced by nanoscale hybrid formation. The level of intercalation (change in the d‐spacing) does not change with the clay loading. Better dispersion of clay in the blend matrix has been observed at a low level of clay content. The nanocomposites show improved tensile modulus (by 31%) in comparison to the blend, whereas the tensile strength (stress at break) and elongation decrease in the presence of the filler with an increase in the clay loading. The Halpin–Tsai model is able to predict the modulus of the nanocomposites in very good agreement with the experimental data. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008