Improving Dispersion and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Graphene Nanoplatelet Composites by Mixed Solvent-Assist
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Article www.springer.com/13233 pISSN 1598-5032 eISSN 2092-7673
Improving Dispersion and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/ Graphene Nanoplatelet Composites by Mixed Solvent-Assisted Melt Blending Min Gyu Lee1 Sangwoon Lee1 Jaehyun Cho2 Jae Young Jho*,1
1 2
School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Jeonbuk 54896, Korea Received June 1, 2020 / Revised July 6, 2020 / Accepted July 8, 2020
Abstract: To improve the dispersion of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) in polypropylene (PP), GNP was exfoliated in a mixed solvent of p-xylene and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and the exfoliation of GNP was maintained by the addition of a compatibilizer before the melt blending. The concentration of the dispersed GNP in various ratios of the mixed solvents was measured in order to confirm the effect of the mixed solvent on the pre-treatment process. As a compatibilizer for the composite, pyrene-functionalized maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (Py-PP) was synthesized. The dispersion state of the composites was analyzed by the three dimensional non-destructive X-ray micro-computed tomography (3D micro-CT). The improved dispersion of GNP resulted in a significant enhancement in the mechanical properties. Young’s modulus of PP composites with 2 wt% GNP has increased by 43% compared with that of PP. These results are attributed not only to the improved interfacial interaction between PP and GNP, but also to the homogeneous dispersion state of the GNP in the matrix. Keywords: polypropylene, graphene nanoplatelet, compatibilizer, dispersion, mechanical property.
1. Introduction Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most important and common polyolefins due to its low cost, good processability, and recyclability. To meet the requirements for engineering applications, mechanical properties of PP need to be improved.1 Polymer nanocomposites exhibit remarkable enhancement in electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties at low levels of filler loading compared with traditional composites.2,3 The various allotropes of carbon such as carbon nanotube, graphene, and fullerene have been applied to improve the performance of polymer nanocomposites. As one of these carbon allotropes, graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) has attracted much attention due to its planar structure, high aspect ratio, superior Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and high electrical mobility.4,5 These properties of GNP make it a good nanofiller for polymer nanocomposites.6 Three main methods for fabricating polymer nanocomposites are solution blending, in situ polymerization, and melt blending. Melt blending is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for mass production in polymer manufacturing industry.7 However, it is less effective in dispersing nanofillers than solvent-based mixing methods because of the high viscosity of molten polymers.8,9 The dispersion state of the nanofillers and the interfacial adhesion between the filler and the polyme
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