Incorporation of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Morphology and Properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanocomposites

Yazid Yaakob,Chantara Thevy Ratnam,Nuzul Fatihin Izatil Azman,Safiyyah Aliya Zuhairi,Md Shuhazlly Mamat,Jim Low

doi:10.1155/2021/6633604

Yazid Yaakob, Chantara Thevy Ratnam + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6633604

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Abstract

In this work, the interaction effect between polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the morphology and thermal properties of the nanocomposites have been investigated. PET nanocomposites with the incorporation of 0.1 wt% and 0.5 wt% of MWCNTs and GNPs were prepared by the melt compounding and injection moulding method. The presence of MWCNTs and GNPs in the PET matrix was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. MWCNTs and GNPs acted as a nucleating agent which enhanced the crystallization of PET/MWCNT/GNP nanocomposites at both weight percentages. The result obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the incorporation of MWCNTs and GNPs into pure PET improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. The nanofillers served as efficient heat sinks which prevent thermal degradation of PET. From the fractured cross-section morphology in field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), the nanofillers displayed good dispersion in the PET matrix. Better dispersion distribution found in 0.1 wt% PET/MWCNTs/GNPs nanocomposites compared to 0.5 wt% PET/MWCNTs/GNPs nanocomposites which favor less mechanical and physical failures like crack, delamination, and agglomeration.

Highlights

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semicrystalline thermoplastic polyester derived from polyethylene terephthalate and purely unreinforced
This paper studied the effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets as the nanofiller for PET nanocomposites
We concluded that PET nanocomposites were successfully fabricated with MWCNT and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanofillers dispersed at 0.1 wt% and 0.5 wt% via the melt-compounding method with internal mixer

Summary

Introduction

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a semicrystalline thermoplastic polyester derived from polyethylene terephthalate and purely unreinforced. PET polymer is a low-cost material used for packaging material of electronics devices, which can be further modified to enhance electrical conductivity This can be achieved by further addition of nanofiller such as exfoliated graphite, carbon nanotube, and graphene [3]. The combination of both nanofillers especially multiwalled carbon nanotube MWCNTs and graphene platelet GNPs lead to enhanced mechanical and thermal properties along with electrical and thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites [9] due to their synergistic effects [10]. The combination of the different composition ratios of carbon nanofillers in different shapes and sizes will build a piece of knowledge in understanding the compatibility of MWCNTs and GNPs that incorporates with PET matrix to have simultaneously excellent mechanical properties and high-performance polymer nanocomposites, extending their potential field of applications. The dispersion of GNPs and MWCNTs in the polymer matrix was characterized using FESEM and XRD while the thermal properties of the prepared polymer nanocomposites were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

Methods and Materials

Result and Discussions

Conclusion