Effect of nano-filler graphene on nano-composite system of polystyrene-graphene

Abstract

By using N-methyl-2-pyrolidone (NMP) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvents, the yield of two-dimensional material graphene as carried out via a technique called liquid exfoliation, phases including dispersal of preponderant material (graphite), sonicating the elevated surface tension solvents and decontamination for the eradication of impurities and remnant were implied in this yield. Now, these progressions were implemented by the use of bath Sonicator, ultracentrifuge, and probe Sonicator. Few-layer graphene (FLG) was originated which fused into intricate architecture (polymer matrix) in order to yield nano-composites of polystyrene and graphene via the technique of solution forming at contrasting filler loadings. The study of the upshot of graphene nano-filler, at divergent wt% ages of graphene’s exfoliation at scanty percolation, i.e., (EG) (i = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) on mechanical, microstructural, thermal, and electrical properties of polystyrene matrix, was carried out. This was done with the help of atomic force microscopy (AFM), four-probe method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and universal testing machine (UTM). The 1-μm occurrence of two-dimensional sheets of graphene was marked by the SEM outcomes, whereas the composite system that contains polystyrene crests and graphene planes was ascertained via XRD testing. The 0.757-nm thickness which clearly specified the two-dimensional sheets was reckoned by AFM. The maximum increase, in mechanical properties including ultimate tensile strength (UTS), modulus of elasticity (E), and percentage elongation at break point, was 74.75, 150, and 68.65% respectively as related to the pure sample of polystyrene that was accounted in this research at scanty percolation (EG = 0.9 wt%). These properties are the function of filler loading. Electrical conductivity and electrical resistivity were evaluated; an intensification of 121.26% at 0.9% in electrical conductivity of filler loading as related to pure polystyrene was accounted whereas the electrical resistivity was diminished up to 121.19% at the identical filler loading. The ultimate increase in the thermal conductivity was 123.71% at concentration 0.9 wt% of the filler as confirmed by thermal conductivity outcomes. The better dispersion of the filler in the matrix and higher interfacial contact between the filler and polymer create these increasing trends.