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Preparation and properties of polypropylene nanocomposites reinforced with exfoliated graphene

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Abstract

We have prepared a series of polypropylene/exfoliated graphene (PP/EG) nanocomposite films via efficient meltcompounding and compression, and investigated their morphology, structures, thermal transition behavior, thermal stability, electrical and mechanical properties as a function of EG content. For the purpose, EG, which is composed of disordered graphene platelets as reinforcing nanoscale fillers, is prepared by the oxidation/exfoliation process of natural graphite flakes. SEM images and X-ray diffraction data confirm that the graphene platelets of EG are well dispersed in PP matrix for the nanocomposites with EG contents less than 1.0 wt%. It is found that thermo-oxidative degradation of PP/EG nanocomposites is noticeably retarded with the increasing of EG content. Electrical resistivity of the nanocomposite films was dramatically changed from ∼1016 to ∼106 Ω·cm by forming electrical percolation threshold at an certain EG content between 1 and 3 wt%. Tensile drawing experiments demonstrate that yielding strength and initial modulus of PP/EG nanocomposite films are highly improved with the increment of EG content.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Design Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, Gumi, 730-701, Korea

    Ji-Eun An, Gil Woo Jeon & Young Gyu Jeong

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  1. Ji-Eun An
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  2. Gil Woo Jeon
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  3. Young Gyu Jeong
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Correspondence to Young Gyu Jeong.

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An, JE., Jeon, G.W. & Jeong, Y.G. Preparation and properties of polypropylene nanocomposites reinforced with exfoliated graphene. Fibers Polym 13, 507–514 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-012-0507-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-012-0507-z

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