Morphology, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Containing Reduced Graphene Oxide and Graphene Nanoplatelets.

Michał Strankowski,Anu A S,Piotr Korzeniewski,Sabu Thomas,Justyna Strankowska

doi:10.3390/ma11010082

Michał Strankowski, Anu A S + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11010082

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Abstract

Polyurethane/graphene nanocomposites were synthesized using commercial thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU, Apilon 52DE55), and two types of graphene derivatives: graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, TEM, and SEM microscopy and XRD techniques were used to chemically and structurally characterize GNP and RGO nanofillers. The properties of the new TPU nanocomposite materials were studied using thermal analysis techniques (Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG)) to describe the influence of graphene nanofillers on polyurethane matrix. Our investigation describes the comparison of two types of graphene derivatives, commercial one (GNP) and synthesized (RGO) on thermoplastic polyurethanes. These nanofillers provides opportunities to achieve compatibility with the TPU matrix. The property enhancements are attributed commonly to high aspect ratio of graphene nanoplatelets and filler–polymer interactions at the interface. The obtained nanocomposites exhibit higher thermal and mechanical properties due to the good dispersion of both nanofillers into TPU matrix. It was found that the addition of 2 wt % of the nanofiller could lead to a significant reinforcement effect on the TPU matrix. Also, with high content of nanofiller (GNP and RGO), the Payne effect was observed.

Highlights

Since the first scientific on the mechanical exfoliation of graphite into graphene monolayers by scotch-tape, several interesting studies have been published on graphene [1,2,3]
Bottom-up methods allow for the production of wafer graphene, which covers the demand of the electronic industry
The aim of this study is to explore the influence of graphene-like nano structured carbon fillers, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on the morphology and proprieties of segmented polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers

Summary

Introduction

Since the first scientific on the mechanical exfoliation of graphite into graphene monolayers by scotch-tape, several interesting studies have been published on graphene [1,2,3]. Graphene has become very popular research material during the last few years [2] This method (scotch-tape approach) of obtaining graphene is inefficient for large-scale production [4]; many efforts have been undertaken to find a better way to get graphene monolayers. Promising large-scale methods of graphene fabricate are bottom-up methods (especially epitaxially growth on SiC crystal, chemical vapour deposition (CVD)), top-down methods, such as chemical, electrochemical, plasma-assisted, and mechanical exfoliation [5]. These methods mainly differ in the quality and efficiency of the obtained graphenes. The high quality of graphene monolayer shows the high electrical conductivity

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