Microwave exfoliated reduced graphene oxide epoxy nanocomposites for high performance applications

POLYMER

卷:55

Article

Sharmila, Bindu T. K.^1,2,3  Nair, Ajalesh B.^2,4  Abraham, Beena T.⁵  Beegum, P. M. Sabura¹  Thachil, Eby Thomas² 

[1] Cochin Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Appl Chem, Kochi 682022, Kerala, India

[2] Cochin Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Polymer Sci & Rubber Technol, Kochi 682022, Kerala, India

[3] TM Jacob Mem Govt Coll Manimalakunnu, Dept Chem, Oliyapuram 686679, Kerala, India

[4] Dept Polymer Nano Sci & Technol, Plus Hapt Polymer Composite Res Team BK21, Jeonju 561756, South Korea

[5] SNM Coll Maliankara, Dept Chem, Maliankara 683516, Kerala, India

关键词: Graphene;    Epoxy resin;    Nanocomposites;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.polymer.2014.05.032

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Graphene has captured the attention of scientific community due to recently emerging high performance applications. Hence, studying its reinforcing effects on epoxy resin is a significant step. In this study, microwave exfoliated reduced graphene oxide (MERGO) was prepared from natural graphite for subsequent fabrication of epoxy nanocomposites using triethylenetetramine (TETA) as a curing agent via in situ polymerization. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), C-13 NMR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet visible (UV vis) spectroscopy were employed to confirm the simultaneous reduction and exfoliation of graphene oxide. The reinforcing effect of MERGO on epoxy resin was explored by investigating its static mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) at MERGO loadings of 0 to 0.5 phr. The micro-structure of epoxy/MERGO nanocomposites was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and XRD techniques. The present work reports an enhancement of 32%, 103% and 85% in tensile, impact and flexural strength respectively of epoxy by the addition of even 0.25 phr MERGO. At this loading elastic and flexural moduli also increased by 10% and 65%, respectively. Single-edge-notch three-point-Bending (SEN-TPB) fracture toughness (KO measurements were carried out where a 63% increase was observed by the introduction of 0.25 phr MERGO. The interfacial interactions brought about by graphene also benefited the dynamic mechanical properties to a large extent in the form of a significant enhancement in storage modulus and slightly improved glass transition temperature. Considerable improvements were also detected in dielectric properties. The epoxy nanocomposite also attained an ac conductivity of 10(-5) S/m and a remarkable increase in dielectric constant. The simple and cost effective way of graphene synthesis for the fabrication of epoxy/MERGO nanocomposites may be extended to the preparation of other MERGO based polymer nanocomposites. This remarkable class of materials has thrown open enormous opportunities for developing conductive adhesives and in microelectronics. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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