Abstract
The preparation of polymer-based nanocomposites requires considerable time (i.e., the dispersal of nanomaterials into a polymer matrix), resulting in difficulties associated with their commercial use. In this study, two simple and efficient dispersion methods, namely planetary centrifugal mixing and three-roll milling, were used to enable the graphene nanoplatelets to disperse uniformly throughout an epoxy solution (i.e., 0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 wt.%) and allow the subsequent preparation of graphene nanoplatelets/epoxy nanocomposites. Measurements of mechanical properties of these nanocomposites, including ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus, were used to evaluate these dispersal methods. Dispersing graphene nanoplatelets into the epoxy resin by planetary centrifugal mixing not only required a shorter process time but also resulted in a more uniform dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets than that by three-roll milling. In addition, compared with traditional dispersal methods, planetary centrifugal mixing was a more efficient dispersal method for the preparation of epoxy-based nanocomposites.
Highlights
The preparation of polymer-based nanocomposites requires considerable time, resulting in difficulties associated with their commercial use
2D nano-carbon materials such as graphene have a higher specific surface area than multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and are not as entangled and difficult to disperse as MWCNTs
In our previous studies [19,22], we demonstrated that adding Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) into epoxy matrices through traditional methods of dispersal (TD) and the subsequent preparation of GNP/epoxy nanocomposites and their carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) laminates could improve the mechanical and interlaminar properties of the nanocomposite and CFRP laminates, respectively
Summary
The GNP diameter was 3–5 μm, the thickness was approximately 5–25 nm, and the purity of the GNPs was >98%. Preparation of GNP/Epoxy Resin Solution Using Planetary Centrifugal Mixing. A solvent-type epoxy resin (EPO-622TM obtained from Epotech Composite Co., Ltd., Taiwan) was added into the MEK/GNP solution, and the mixture was stirred for 20 min by using a planetary centrifugal mixing apparatus to enable the MEK/GNP to disperse uniformly throughout the epoxy resin. This mixer used a mechanism whereby the container holding the material revolved clockwise while the container itself rotated counter-clockwise (rotation). After the preparation of the nanocomposites was completed, the nanocomposites were placed in a heating oven at 120 ◦ C for 120 min to eliminate the internal stress; this was called the “post-curing” process
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