Enhanced Dielectric and Electrical Properties in Polyurethane Composites with Graphene Nanosheets

Abstract

The Electrical properties of polyurethane (PU) filled with graphene nanosheets (GRN) at low frequency is investigated. In last decade, polyurethane elastomers have attracted attention in transducer and actuator applications. The dielectric constant is one of the key factors for increasing actuator ability. Graphene nanosheets as conducting fillers have to be filled to increase the dielectric constant. In order to prove this idea, polyurethane composites with various graphene contents have been characterized by SEM and DSC. And their electrical capability has been measured at various frequencies of 101-104 by using LCR meter. To gain the films, polyurethane composites filled with various graphene contents were prepared by solution casting method. The results showed a well homogenous dispersion of the graphene filler in the polyurethane matrix. In addition, it was found that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PU/GRN increase as the content of filler increased and it can be affected the interfacial polarization between PU matrix with the GRN fillers. Therefore, it is found that graphene in the polyurethane matrix exhibit high enhanced the electrical properties and the optimal dielectric constant at 2wt% graphene of 9.74.