Abstract
In this study, the surface modification on graphene oxide (GO) was performed using octadecylamine (ODA). Furthermore, polybutylene terephthalate/GO (PBT/GO) composites were prepared to elucidate the role of GO surface modification on the mechanical performance, thermal stability and crystallization behavior. Results of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), Raman spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that ODA was successfully grafted on GO. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), tensile test, Izod impact strength test and TGA were carried out on the PBT/GO composites. Results indicated that the addition of raw GO can enhance the crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity and can slightly improve the thermal stability and tensile strength of the composites. However, the impact strength and elongation at break were seriously decreased owing to the poor compatibility between the GO and PBT matrix. Once the modified GO was added, the crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity were greatly increased. The tensile strength increased greatly while the elongation at break and Izod impact strength were efficiently maintained; these were evidently higher than those of PBT/raw GO. Moreover, thermal stability was greatly enhanced. SEM (scanning electron microscope) observation results on the impact-fractured surface clearly confirmed the improved compatibility between the modified GO and PBT matrix. A related mechanism had been discussed.
Highlights
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) has excellent mechanical, chemical and electrical properties [1]
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) can be used to qualitatively analyze the types of chemical bonds on the surface of graphene oxide (GO), which is an effective method to characterize the functional groups in GO
For GO-ODA, the C/O ratio is about 11.4, the addition of N element is about 3%, and the new N-C=O and C-N bonds are formed by the reaction of ODA with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on the surface of graphene oxide, which indicates that the alkyl segments are introduced by covalent bonds
Summary
Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) has excellent mechanical, chemical and electrical properties [1]. Bian et al [24] successfully prepared a series of nanocomposites based on PBT and microwave-exfoliated graphite oxide nanosheets (MEGONSs) via melt-compounding technique, and studied the structures, thermal stabilities, mechanical, rheological and electrical properties of the composites. To enhance compatibility between PBT and GP, acrylic acid-grafted PBT (PBT-g-AA) and multi-hydroxyl-functionalized graphene oxide (GO-OH) were used to replace PBT and GP, respectively They reported that GO-OH could be incorporated into PBT-g-AA copolymer through the formation of strong covalent bonds produced from the reaction between the AA groups of PBT-g-AA and hydroxyl groups of GO-OH. GO has been carefully characterized, and the impact of ODA surface modification of GO on the mechanical properties, crystallization and thermal performance of PBT/GO composites has been comparatively studied, so as to provide a novel method to prepare high-performance PBT composites
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