Abstract
Biobased thermoplastic polyurethane (bTPU)/unmodified graphene (GR) nanocomposites (NCs) were obtained by melt-mixing in a lab-scaled conventional twin-screw extruder. Alternatively, GR was also modified with an ionic liquid (GR-IL) using a simple preparation method with the aim of improving the dispersion level. XRD diffractograms indicated a minor presence of well-ordered structures in both bTPU/GR and bTPU/GR-IL NCs, which also showed, as observed by TEM, nonuniform dispersion. Electrical conductivity measurements pointed to an improved dispersion level when GR was modified with the IL, because the bTPU/GR-IL NCs showed a significantly lower electrical percolation threshold (1.99 wt%) than the bTPU/GR NCs (3.21 wt%), as well as higher conductivity values. Young’s modulus increased upon the addition of the GR (by 65% with 4 wt%), as did the yield strength, while the ductile nature of the bTPU matrix maintained in all the compositions, with elongation at break values above 200%. This positive effect on the mechanical properties caused by the addition of GR maintained or slightly increased when GR-IL was used, pointing to the success of this method of modifying the nanofiller to obtain bTPU/GR NCs.
Highlights
Polymer nanocomposites (NCs) containing carbon-based electrically conductive nanoparticles have gained a certain advantage over other hybrid polymer systems because, in addition to the other usual improvements in mechanical and transport properties, they offer enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity
In order to achieve these goals, the graphene must be efficiently dispersed in the polymer matrix, a process which is hindered by the strong intrinsic van der Waals attraction and π–π stacking which tends to cause the reaggregation of the graphene sheets [5]
The nanostructure of the NCs was analyzed by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with the aim of ascertaining the effect of the modification of the ionic liquids (IL) on the dispersion level of the GR
Summary
Polymer nanocomposites (NCs) containing carbon-based electrically conductive nanoparticles have gained a certain advantage over other hybrid polymer systems because, in addition to the other usual improvements in mechanical and transport properties, they offer enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity. As a result, these NCs are suitable for different applications such as low-cost, light-weight, EMI-shielded computer housing and cables, antistatic packaging, high-strength automotive and aerospace components, high-barrier packaging, and smart clothing/personal sensor systems [1]. In order to achieve these goals, the graphene must be efficiently dispersed in the polymer matrix, a process which is hindered by the strong intrinsic van der Waals attraction and π–π stacking which tends to cause the reaggregation of the graphene sheets [5].
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