Synergistic Effect of Graphene and Boron Nitride on the Electrical Conductivity and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Polymer Composites

Abstract

This work examines the combined influence of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) on the electrical conductivity, mechanical characteristics, and thermal stability of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based hybrid polymer composites. Graphene and h-BN were exfoliated and amalgamated in different ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1), thereafter integrated into the PVDF matrix at nanofiller concentrations of 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 2.0 wt%, and 5.0 wt%. Mechanical tests demonstrated substantial improvements in tensile strength and Young’s modulus, especially for composites with a 2:1 graphene-to-h-BN ratio. Electrical conductivity significantly enhanced with increasing nanofiller content, reaching a peak of 5.0 × 10⁻² S/m at a 5.0 wt% nanofiller concentration with a 3:1 graphene-to-h-BN ratio. Thermal stability has also improved with degradation temperatures increased by up to 70°C more as compared to PVDF. The findings demonstrate that the ideal nanofiller structure (2:Adding one graphene ratio at 5.0 wt% strikes a balance of these properties enabling the composites to be applied in electronics, sensors, and advanced structures