Abstract
The production of an innovative, high-performance graphene-based polymer nanocomposite using cost-effective techniques was pursued in this study. Well-dispersed and uniformly distributed graphene platelets within a polymer matrix, with strong interfacial bonding between the platelets and the matrix, provided an optimal nanocomposite system for industrial interest. This study reports on the reinforcement of high molecular weight multimodal-high-density polyethylene reinforced by a microwave-induced plasma graphene, using melt intercalation. The tailored process included designing a suitable screw configuration, paired with coordinating extruder conditions and blending techniques. This enabled the polymer to sufficiently degrade, predominantly through thermomechanical-degradation, as well as thermo-oxidative degradation, which subsequently created a suitable medium for the graphene sheets to disperse readily and distribute evenly within the polymer matrix. Different microscopy techniques were employed to prove the effectiveness. This was then qualitatively assessed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, rheology, mechanical testing, density measurements, thermal expansion, and thermogravimetric analysis, confirming both the originality as well as the effectiveness of the process.
Highlights
Multimodal high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is an engineered thermoplastic semi-crystalline polymer, which is widely used in automotive, films, pressure pipes and fittings, bottles, tubes, and cables jacketing [1,2,3,4,5]
A twin-screw extrusion system with a modular screw configuration was utilized in this study to fabricate a polymer nanocomposite with well-dispersed and uniformly distributed graphene flakes
The %area fraction and mean particle size were calculated based on transmission electron microscope (TEM) and light microscopy analysis, graphene particles of less than 0.05 μm2 or 500 nm were excluded from the calculations, i.e. the average lateral size of graphene platelets ranges between 150–500 nm
Summary
Multimodal high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is an engineered thermoplastic semi-crystalline polymer, which is widely used in automotive, films, pressure pipes and fittings, bottles, tubes, and cables jacketing [1,2,3,4,5]. It is the topic of this study to introduce a more cost-effective, optimal way of fabricating a nanocomposite of high molecular weight multimodal-HDPE matrix, reinforced with a bottom-up graphene. These polymers are widely used in a long-term application in an extreme environment, which includes hydrostatic, thermal, and environmental stresses [5,21,23]. We attempted to degrade the polymer to a sufficient level, through thermo-oxidative, as well as thermo-mechanical degradation during the melt extrusion process This created a compatible medium for the graphene to disperse and distribute thoroughly within the polymer matrix. The results of this research provide greater insight into different melt intercalation factors, affecting the multimodal HDPE-graphene nanocomposite performance and criterion for effectively producing the generation of black multimodal-polyethylene compounds for use in high-pressure pipes, automotive, and energy cable applications [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,23]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
