Incorporation Of Nanofillers Research Articles

Cryogenic Impact on Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Hydrogen Storage Vessels

Carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy (CF/EP) composites are attractive materials for hydrogen storage tanks due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and outstanding chemical resistance. However, cryogenic temperatures (CTs) have a substantial impact on the tensile strength and interfacial bonding of CF/EP materials, producing problems for their long-term performance and safety in hydrogen storage tank applications. This review paper investigates how low temperatures affect the tensile strength, modulus, and fracture toughness of CF/EP materials, as well as the essential interfacial interactions between carbon fibers (CFs) and the epoxy matrix (EP) in cryogenic environments. Material toughening techniques have evolved significantly, including the incorporation of nano-fillers, hybrid fibers, and enhanced resin formulations, to improve the durability and performance of CF/EP materials in cryogenic conditions. This review also assesses the hydrogen barrier properties of various composites, emphasizing the importance of reducing hydrogen permeability in order to retain material integrity. This review concludes by highlighting the importance of optimizing CF/EP composite design and fabrication for long-term performance and safety in hydrogen storage systems. It examines the prospects for using CF/EP composites in hydrogen storage tanks, as well as future research directions.

Smart Nanocoating‐ an Innovative Solution to Create Intelligent Functionality on Surface

AbstractThe interaction of substrate surfaces with the environment (moisture, heat, pressure, chemicals) has cascade effects on their efficiency, performance, durability due to their susceptibility towards microbial adhesion, spontaneous leaching, impairment, corrosion etc. Many scientific, technological innovations such as smart coating have been discovered for the protection of these surfaces. It is a high‐tech, high value coating capable of responding to environmental impulses. Incorporation of nanofillers, nanomatrices in smart coating improve surface performance by extending service life, provide high durability, high physical coverage, adhesive strength etc. Real‐time monitoring of environmental conditions, structural health could be made possible by sensing coatings. This review predominantly highlights the essential features, design, advancements, applications of smart nanocoatings over elementary nanocoatings. To cover the whole study, drawbacks of traditional coating methods are also discussed. Finally, the research gaps, future perspectives of smart nanocoatings will be overlooked.

Advancement of nanofiller reinforced fused filament fabrication polymers: A path to sustainable, weather-resistant 3D printing materials

Recent studies have focused on developing new materials capable of withstanding diverse environmental or weathering conditions, including sunlight, temperature, moisture, and chemicals, for various outdoor applications. Nowadays, nanotechnological advancements have opened possibilities for the development of polymer nanocomposites, which exhibit superior mechanical and weathering properties over traditional materials. However, there is limited literature available that summarizes the improvements in the mechanical and weathering properties of nanocomposites specifically for FFF. This paper provides a concise review of composite material development through the incorporation of nanofillers (NFs) to enhance product strength and durability. The primary focus is on examining the effect of the inorganic nanofillers, especially metal oxides NFs (TiO2, ZnO, SiO2), on the mechanical and weathering properties of the polymers in different manufacturing processes. Paper also covered the challenges and opportunities along with the applications of metal oxide-based polymer nanocomposites for outdoor use.

Significantly Enhanced Corona Resistance of Epoxy Composite by Incorporation with Functionalized Graphene Oxide

Enhancing the corona resistance of epoxy resin (EP) is crucial for ensuring the reliable operation of electrical equipment and power systems, and the incorporation of inorganic nanofillers into epoxy resin has shown significant potential in achieving this. In this study, functionalized graphene oxide (KHGO) was synthesized via a sol-gel method to enhance the corona resistance of EP with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) used to assess the properties of KHGO/EP composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verified the successful grafting of epoxy groups onto the GO surface. The thermal conductivity and stability of the KHGO/EP composite initially increased with KHGO content but declined when the content exceeded 1.2 wt.%. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) indicated that KHGO improved interfacial compatibility with EP compared to GO, with agglomeration occurring when KHGO content exceeded a threshold value (1.2 wt.%). EIS analysis revealed that the corona resistance of the KHGO/EP composite was optimal at a filler content of 0.9 wt.%. After corona treatment, the saturation water uptake of the 0.9 wt.% KHGO/EP composite decreased by 15% compared to pure EP with its porosity reduced to just 1/40th of that of pure EP. This study underscores that well-dispersed KHGO/EP composite exhibits excellent corona resistance property suggesting the potential for industrial applications in high-voltage equipment insulation.

Synergistic effects of cellulose nanocrystal on the mechanical and shape memory properties of TPU composites

Cellulose nanocrystal is a nanomaterial that has a large specific surface area, high surface energy, and high strength. As well, it is biocompatible, environmentally friendly, nontoxic, and can be extracted from biomass resources. Because of these features, cellulose nanocrystals can be used to improve the mechanical properties of polymer matrices with a shape memory effect and as a shape memory switch. In this study, a polytrimethylene ether glycol-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) composite was prepared via an in-situ polymerization process to create a self-healing polymer matrix. Also, the effect of CNC doses in low concentrations (≤2 wt%) on the different properties of the resulting bio-nanocomposite was investigated. The results showed that the introduction of CNCs affects the hydrogen bonding within the polymer matrix and provides better thermal stability in the high temperature range than pure TPU. Furthermore, the samples with 0 wt%, 0.75 wt%, 1 wt%, and 2 wt% of CNC exhibited an increasing trend in tensile strength with values of 11.71 MPa, 18.95 MPa, 17.88 MPa, and 26.18 MPa, respectively, which indicates a remarkable improvement in mechanical strength. The shape memory behavior was also notably prominent in this polymer composite, where the composite containing 2 wt% of CNC showed the fastest recovery time (240 s) at 75 °C with the highest shape retention. Moreover, their flow behavior and deformation capacity were examined through rheology tests. Besides, docking simulations were conducted in silico to assess the interaction of the TPU/CNC composite with the DNA gyrase enzyme. The interaction between CNC/TPU composite and DNA gyrase was meticulously analyzed across 10 distinct conformations, yielding docking scores ranging from −6.5 Kcal/mol to −5.3 Kcal/mol. Overall, the physico-mechanical properties of the TPU/CNC composites were substantially enhanced with the incorporation of nanofillers.

An experimental study on jute/banana fiber reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) composites with nanofiller

AbstractThe incorporation of nanoparticles into natural fiber composites has the potential to alter the characteristics of natural fiber composites. In this study, various properties of jute and banana fiber reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites with different nanofillers incorporation were investigated. Samples were prepared using the vacuum bagging technique. Inorganic nanoparticles (Al2O3, ZnO, MgO, CuO, and TiO2) were synthesized using a ball milling machine and in each sample, 3 wt.% of nanofillers were incorporated. The maximum ultimate tensile strength and elongation percentage is found for TiO2, which is 90.433% higher than pure PVA whereas MgO incorporated samples provides maximum flexural strength, which is 162.59% higher than PVA. The sample with Al2O3 provides strongest impact resistance, 17.3 J/cm2. It was found that the decomposition temperatures were slightly higher for MgO and CuO doping than the undoped PVA composite. The FT‐IR spectra exhibited notable hydroxyl groups and minor shifts indicating a reduction in hydrophilicity upon the introduction of nanoparticles. The water absorption exhibited a reduction of up to 36% in conjunction with an increase in density across all samples. The highest crystallinity is found for CuO nanofiller composite, validated by x‐ray diffraction analysis. Additionally, morphological changes in the composites were seen through scanning electron microscopy and EDX shows a strong peak at 2.1 keV indicate some impurities present in the samples.Highlights Jute/banana/PVA composites were prepared with 3 wt% nanoparticles incorporation. Metal oxides such as Al2O3, ZnO, MgO, CuO, and TiO2 were used as nanoparticle. The use of nanoparticle improved the tensile, flexural, and impact properties. Decomposition temperatures were found higher for MgO and CuO incorporated composites. Upon nanoparticle incorporation, water absorption exhibited a reduction of upto 36%.

Development of biodegradable bioadhesive nanocomposites reinforced with quantum dots and functionalized carbon nanotubes

A series of photoluminescent nanocomposite polyurethane adhesives were elaborated from a chemoenzymatic prepared diol of caprolactone (PCL-diol) and ethylene glycol with an excess of two different isocyanates: i) hexamethylene (HDI) and (ii) isophorone (IPDI)) diisocyanates. Adhesive formulations were filled with functionalized poly(amido-amine) (PAMAM) carbon nanotubes (f-MWNTs) and carbon quantum dots (CQDTs). Dry swine gut was used as substrate and mechanical tests were performed to explore the performance of the adhesives. The obtained materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy surface by contact angle, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hydrolytic degradation, and mechanical testing under tension, lap shear, T-peel, wound closure, and burst pressure. Among the main results were the formation of covalent bonds between the substrate and the adhesive, and the fact that the mechanical strength of the nanocomposite adhesives was superior to that of the unfilled adhesives. Compatibility of nanocomposites with the substrate was achieved by increasing wettability by the incorporation of both nanofillers. Also, adhesives filled with only CQDTs and with MWNTs-CDQTs combined showed photoluminescence activity under ultraviolet light.

Studies on biopolymer -Based Nanocomposites reinforced with metallic Nanoparticles

Advancements in biopolymer-metallic nanocomposites have led to diverse applications, including drug delivery, biosensing, bone regeneration, solar cells, and supercapacitors. This development supports sustainable progress through a biomimetic approach where the integration of metallic nanoparticles plays a crucial role. This paper reviews how functionalizing metallic nanoparticles using various methods can prevent agglomeration and enhance the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of biopolymers. It details the improvements in properties and potential applications achieved by the incorporation of metal-based nanofillers into biodegradable biopolymers. The benefits of metallic nanoparticles such as their high aspect ratio, biocompatibility, low density, and high mechanical strength are highlighted as key factors in boosting biopolymer performance. The review summarizes the mechanism and structural changes in biopolymers to provide researchers with insights into these elements.

UV cross-linked highly stable polymer garnet composite electrolyte with improved interphase for lithium metal batteries

The next-generation electric vehicles heavily rely on high-energy–density lithium metal batteries with enhanced safety. Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid-state polymer electrolytes offers superior protection, high flexibility, and stability. However, inadequate ionic conductivity and poor compatibility at the interfaces with the electrodes hinder the practical application of solid-state electrolytes. In this work, we developed a polyethylene glycol-based, highly cross-linked polymer electrolyte with a garnet-type, fast Li+ conductive Li6.2Al0.24La3Zr2O12 (Al-LLZO) filler. The Al-LLZO filler was incorporated into a cross-linking functional polymeric matrix of polyethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-mercaptopropionate), and lithium perchlorate salt. The cross-linked polymer garnet composite electrolyte (CPGCE) was prepared via UV-induced photo-polymerization. The resulting CPGCE exhibits superior free-standing flexibility, a desired ionic conductivity of 4.4 × 10−4 S cm−1, and a wide potential window up to 4.2 V. The Li|CPGCE|Li symmetric cell underwent stripping and plating at varying current densities of 0.05 to 0.3 mA cm−2, displaying a low overpotential range from ±0.02 V to ±0.08 V over 500 cycles. Similarly, the as-cycled Li|CPGCE|Li showed excellent stripping and plating performance at 0.1 mA cm−2 for 500 cycles at 60 °C. The incorporation of the Al-LLZO nanofiller provided active sites with continuous Li+ conducting pathways, suppressing the growth of dead lithium dendrites. The Li|CPGCE|LiFePO₄ full cell exhibited a discharge capacity of 155 mAh g−1 at a rate of 0.1C, with a coulombic efficiency of 96 % over 50 cycles at 25 °C. This work offers a straightforward and convenient approach to creating highly durable polymer composite electrolytes with enhanced interfacial stability, advancing the implementation of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Nanofillers in Novel Food Packaging Systems and Their Toxicity Issues.

Background: Environmental concerns about petroleum-based plastic packaging materials and the growing demand for food have inspired researchers and the food industry to develop food packaging with better food preservation and biodegradability. Nanocomposites consisting of nanofillers, and synthetic/biopolymers can be applied to improve the physiochemical and antimicrobial properties and sustainability of food packaging. Scope and approach: This review summarized the recent advances in nanofiller and their applications in improved food packaging systems (e.g., nanoclay, carbon nanotubes), active food packaging (e.g., silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs)), intelligent food packaging, and degradable packaging (e.g., titanium dioxide nanoparticles (e.g., TiO2 NPs)). Additionally, the migration processes and related assessment methods for nanofillers were considered, as well as the use of nanofillers to reduce migration. The potential cytotoxicity and ecotoxicity of nanofillers were also reviewed. Key findings: The incorporation of nanofillers may increase Young's modulus (YM) while decreasing the elongation at break (EAB) (y = -1.55x + 1.38, R2 = 0.128, r = -0.358, p = 0.018) and decreasing the water vapor (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) (y = 0.30x - 0.57, R2 = 0.039, r = 0.197, p = 0.065). Meanwhile, the addition of metal-based NPs could also extend the shelf-life of food products by lowering lipid oxidation by an average of approx. 350.74% and weight loss by approx. 28.39% during the longest storage period, and significantly increasing antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus compared to the neat polymer films (p = 0.034). Moreover, the migration process of nanofillers may be negligible but still requires further research. Additionally, the ecotoxicity of nanofillers is unclear, as the final distribution of nanocomposites in the environment is unknown. Conclusions: Nanotechnology helps to overcome the challenges associated with traditional packaging materials. Strong regulatory frameworks and safety standards are needed to ensure the appropriate use of nanocomposites. There is also a need to explore how to realize the economic and technical requirements for large-scale implementation of nanocomposite technologies.

Nanofillers embedded flexible piezoelectric polymer sensor pad for robotic and human finger tap analysis

Flexible pressure sensors are receiving a lot of attention due to their use in wearable electronic devices, human-machine interactive systems, and physiological signal monitoring. In this paper, we present a novel nanofiller embedded thin film based piezoelectric pressure sensor for finger tapping analysis. The active material is fabricated using poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) having zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanofillers. It is observed that the incorporation of ZrO2 nanofillers has a substantial impact on the structural characteristics of PVDF polymer, leading to enhancements in its piezoelectric properties. Moreover, the PVDF/2 wt% ZrO2 composite film sensor showed a notable maximum piezoelectric output voltage of ∼210 millivolts at a load of 20 g (0.88 kPa applied pressure). A four-fold enhancement in response is observed in case of PVDF/2 wt% ZrO2 composite in comparison to pristine PVDF sensor. Further, a sensitivity of 0.255 ± 0.083 kPa−1 has been recorded for the composite based sensor. Additionally, maximum of 115 mV is obtained when the composite sensor is tapped manually. The recorded maximum values for impulsive pressure (38 g), high pressure (108 g), and low pressure (45 g) are 76 mV, 150 mV, and 90 mV, respectively. The sensor is efficiently able to detect robotic tapping and stress on the human fingers. An efficiency of around 90% was achieved in PVDF/ 2 wt% ZrO2 at 5 kV/cm using PE hysteresis loop data. The findings indicate that PVDF/ZrO2 composite based piezoelectric pressure sensor has promising capabilities for applications in wearable electronic devices and medical diagnostics.

Thermal Transport Phenomena in PEGDA-Based Nanocomposite Hydrogels Using Atomistic and Experimental Techniques.

Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel is a very peculiar, fascinating material with good chemical stability and biocompatibility. However, the poor thermal transport phenomenon in PEGDA, limits its performance in cartilage replacement and developing therapies for treating burns. In this article, a combined experimental and atomistic approach was adopted to investigate the thermal transport phenomena in PEGDA hydrogel with different weight concentrations of boron nitride nanoplatelets as a function of water content. The incorporation of boron nitride nanofillers helps in enhancing the thermal conductivity of PEGDA hydrogels, and the reinforcement effect was more dominating at lower water content. Experimental investigation was complemented with molecular dynamics-based studies to capture the effect of defective (bicrystalline) boron nitride nanosheets on the interfacial thermal conductance in PEGDA hydrogels. It can be concluded from the simulations that defective nanosheets are superior reinforcement for enhancing the thermal transport in PEGDA hydrogels, and this is independent of the water content. These biocompatible boron nitride nanoparticle (BNNP)-incorporated PEGDA hydrogels with enhanced thermal conductivity are promising materials in addressing locally overheating tissues such as cartilage replacement. They may have comprehensive utility for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensors, and burn therapy.

Preparation and Analysis of New Hybrid PAEK Nano-Composites Containing MWCNT, Inorganic and Organic Nano-Particles

In modern era light weight material with complex shape and high material properties is required for advanced applications at room temperature. In this concern, the experimental study analysis to observe the effect of different nanofiller material like GO, MWCNT, NH2 and COOH modified MWCNT as organic nanofiller and WS2 and MoS2 as inorganic nanofiller reinforced in pure PAEK. This experimental study focuses on incorporation of organic and inorganic nanofillers separately and combine as hybrid nanofiller nanocomposite. On preparation of PAEK nano-composite and hybrid nanocomposite the comparative study of mechanical properties like tensile, flexural and impact is carried out. The nano-composites were prepared by melt compounding method. Scanning Electron Microscopy confirm the homogenous dispersion and alignment of nanofilers. The hybrid nano-composites show highest tensile strength as compared to the organic and in-organic nanofiller nanocomposite. As the percentage of MWCNT increases from 0.2 to 1 wt% , the properties of nano-composites decreases due agglomeration tendency of MWCNT that results in low load transfer capacity of nanocomposite, therefore agglomeration tendency of MWCNT required to be controlled for preparation of nano-composite and this is achieved by reinforcing Hybrid nanofillers to pure PAEK matrix. However, organic filler shows 75 MPa to 83 MPa tensile properties and which is lower compared to in-organic and hybrid filler due agglomeration tendency of organic nanofiller confirmed by SEM analysis.

Conductive Gels for Energy Storage, Conversion, and Generation: Materials Design Strategies, Properties, and Applications.

Gel-based materials have garnered significant interest in recent years, primarily due to their remarkable structural flexibility, ease of modulation, and cost-effective synthesis methodologies. Specifically, polymer-based conductive gels, characterized by their unique conjugated structures incorporating both localized sigma and pi bonds, have emerged as materials of choice for a wide range of applications. These gels demonstrate an exceptional integration of solid and liquid phases within a three-dimensional matrix, further enhanced by the incorporation of conductive nanofillers. This unique composition endows them with a versatility that finds application across a diverse array of fields, including wearable energy devices, health monitoring systems, robotics, and devices designed for interactive human-body integration. The multifunctional nature of gel materials is evidenced by their inherent stretchability, self-healing capabilities, and conductivity (both ionic and electrical), alongside their multidimensional properties. However, the integration of these multidimensional properties into a single gel material, tailored to meet specific mechanical and chemical requirements across various applications, presents a significant challenge. This review aims to shed light on the current advancements in gel materials, with a particular focus on their application in various devices. Additionally, it critically assesses the limitations inherent in current material design strategies and proposes potential avenues for future research, particularly in the realm of conductive gels for energy applications.

Nonlinear Conductivity and Thermal Stability of Anti-Corona Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites.

The long-term operation of motors induces substantial alterations in the surface conductivity and nonlinear coefficient of anti-corona paint, diminishing its efficacy and jeopardizing the longevity of large motors. Hence, the development of high-performance anti-corona paint holds paramount importance in ensuring motor safety. In this study, we integrate two nano-fillers, namely silicon carbide (SiC) and organic montmorillonite (O-MMT), into a composite matrix comprising micron silicon carbide and epoxy resin (SiC/EP). Subsequently, three distinct types of anti-corona paint are formulated: SiC/EP, Nano-SiC/EP, and O-MMT/SiC/EP. Remarkably, O-MMT/SiC/EP exhibits a glass transition temperature about 25 °C higher than that of SiC/EP, underscoring its superior thermal properties. Moreover, the introduction of nano-fillers markedly augments the surface conductivity of the anti-corona paint. Aging tests, conducted across varying temperatures, unveil a notable reduction in the fluctuation range of surface conductivity post-aging. Initially, the nonlinear coefficients exhibit a declining trend, succeeded by an ascending trajectory. The O-MMT/SiC/EP composite displays a maximum nonlinearity coefficient of 1.465 and a minimum of 1.382. Furthermore, the incorporation of nanofillers amplifies the dielectric thermal stability of epoxy resin composites, with O-MMT/SiC/EP showcasing the pinnacle of thermal endurance. Overall, our findings elucidate the efficacy of nano-fillers in enhancing the performance and longevity of anti-corona paint, particularly highlighting the exceptional attributes of the O-MMT/SiC/EP composite in bolstering motor safety through improved thermal stability and electrical properties.

Melamine Network as a Solution for Significant Enhancement of the Mechanical, Adsorptive, and Surface Properties in a Novel Carbon Nanomaterial-Silica Aerogel Composite.

Silica aerogels exhibit exceptional characteristics such as mesoporosity, light weight, high surface area, and pore volume. Nevertheless, their utilization in industrial settings remains constrained due to their brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and costly synthesis procedure. Several studies have proved that adding nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) or graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), can improve the mechanical strength of the aerogels. The incorporation of nanofillers is often accompanied by agglomeration and pore blockage, which, in turn, deteriorates the surface area, pore volume, and low density. Including flexible melamine foam (MF) as a scaffold for the silica aerogel and nanofiller composite can prevent the restacking of the nanofillers through π-π interaction, hence maintaining the incredible properties of aerogels and improving their mechanical properties. CNT, GNP, and the polymeric silica precursor, polyvinyltrimethoxysilane (PVTMS), were added to a MF, at varying concentrations, to fabricate the MF-aerogel nanocomposites. Surfactant and sonication were utilized to ensure a homogeneous dispersion of the nanofillers in the system. The presence of MF prevented the agglomeration of nanofillers, resulting in lower density and relatively higher surface properties (SBET up to 929 m2·g-1 and pore volume up to 4.34 cc·g-1). Moreover, the MF-supported samples could endure 80% strain without breakage and showed an outstanding compressive strength of up to ∼20 MPa. These aerogel nanocomposites also demonstrated an excellent volatile organic compound (∼2680 mg·g-1) and cationic dye adsorption (∼10 mg·g-1).

Sustainable hybrid green nanofiller based on cellulose nanofiber for enhancing the properties of epoxy resin

Herein, a novel hybrid nano filler (CNF/cloisite 30B) for epoxy was designed and developed from cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and montmorillonite clay (cloisite 30B). The hybrid nanofiller has a morphology of exfoliated clay layers inside fibrous network of CNF as evident by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The crystallinity index of hybrid nanofiller was calculated as 17% from Segal equation. Upon incorporation of hybrid nanofiller, thermal, mechanical and flame-retardant properties of the epoxy was simultaneously increased. A surge in the impact strength (101%) was observed for epoxy/0.5 hybrid nanocomposites. Fracture toughness of the epoxy increases with the addition of hybrid nanofiller, 0.5 phr loading shows the maximum fracture toughness value. Besides this, inclusion of hybrid nanofiller makes the fracture surface of epoxy rougher as confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). A significant improvement in the glass transition temperature (Tg) was observed for the fabricated epoxy/hybrid nanocomposites. Compared to pristine epoxy, about 16% and 10% improvement in Tg was observed for 0.5 phr and 1.0 phr CNF/cloisite30 B hybrid loading, respectively. Well-dispersed hybrid nanofiller in the epoxy matrix and the resulting filler matrix interaction restrict the chain mobility by forming several constrained regions in the nanocomposites, which in turn enhances the glass transition temperature of the hybrid nanocomposites. Hybrid nanocomposites exhibited remarkable flame retardancy due to the formation of thick char layer and the reduction in the total heat released (THR) was 34% and 20% compared to neat epoxy resin. The current work ensures that the developed hybrid green filler can be a potential, low cost, and eco-friendly reinforcing agent for polymers.

Structural, Mechanical and Thermal Behaviour of Graphene-Epoxy Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites

The change in characteristics in the microstructural features of epoxy nanocomposites created by reinforcing with graphene oxide (GO) obtained by controlled reduction of GO was investigated. The effects of adding various loadings (0.1–0.5 wt%) of RGO in epoxy resin were examined, with a focus on the material’s response toward mechanical and thermal properties. The robust interfacial bonding between epoxy resin and RGO is attributed to the higher surface area of the exfoliated layered geometry of graphene and is a key factor contributing to the enhanced physical properties in nanocomposite. The optimal incorporation of 2D nanofillers has been determined to induce a synergistic effect, thereby establishing a percolating network in thermal interface materials designed for high-performance electronic device.

Improvement of the anti-corrosion coating properties of waterborne epoxy resin with the incorporation of fluoropolymer-modified silica nanofillers

The objective of this research was to enhance the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of silica nanoparticles modified by a fluoropolymer (polyhexafluorobutyl acrylate, PHFBA) by incorporating them into a waterborne epoxy resin (WEP) coating system. Initially, polyhexafluorobutyl acrylate (PHFBA)-modified silica nanoparticles were synthesized using a two-step method, involving the grafting of 3-(isobutylloxy) propyl trimethoxysilane (KH570) onto SiO2 to produce SiO2@KH570, followed by a random copolymerization of SiO2@KH570 with hexafluorobutyl acrylate (HFBA) to obtain the fluoropolymer-modified SiO2 (FxSiO2). Subsequently, the chemical structure and elemental composition of SiO2, as well as the prepared SiO2@KH570 and FxSiO2 nanoparticles, were comprehensively investigated. Moreover, FxSiO2/WEP composite coatings with different amounts of fluoropolymer-modified nanofillers and x-F5SiO2/WEP composite coatings with varying amounts of F5SiO2 nanofillers were prepared and characterized. The findings revealed that the functionalized FxSiO2 exhibits superior dispersion, interface, and size effects, significantly enhancing the overall performance of WEP coatings. Notably, when 0.1 wt% F5SiO2 nanofiller was incorporated, the resulting 0.1-F5SiO2/WEP composite coating demonstrated a considerable impedance modulus (1.171 × 108 Ω∙cm2), relatively low water absorption rate (about 11 % after 20 d of immersion in water), and robust mechanical properties: a tensile strength of 6.07 MPa and an elongation at break of 37.36 %. Moreover, the hardness and adhesion of the composite coating remain unaltered. Furthermore, after 20 days of salt spray testing, the electrochemical impedance still reached 8.765 × 106 Ω∙cm2, indicating a favorable long-term anti-corrosion capability. Consequently, the integration of fluoropolymer-modified nanoparticles in water-based epoxy resins holds great potential.

An effective microwave absorber using multi-layer Design of carbon allotrope based Co2Z hexaferrite-Polymer nanocomposite film for EMI shielding applications

This report shows impressive electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency of laminated nanocomposites of PVDF containing binary nanofillers of rGO and Co2Z hexaferrite. These rGO layers in the PVDF matrix in association with magnetic nanofillers have been considered to improve interfacial polarization by accumulating charges at the interfaces of rGO-Co2Z hexaferrite-PVDF system. The crystallographic phase, chemical composition, and successful incorporation of the binary nanofillers into PVDF have been verified using XRD, XPS, RAMAN, and FESEM analysis. The J-E analysis of rGO-Co2Z hexaferrite-PVDF nanocomposite films confirm that the current density of all the nanocomposite films is very less and found in the order of 10-5 A/m2 under the maximum electric field of 70 kV/m. This indicates the emergence of polarization effect in the nanocomposite films when subjected to high external electric field without having electrical breakdown. The significant magnetization of ∼8.9 emu/g for nanocomposite films, at room temperature is beneficial for boosting the EMI shielding effectiveness due to absorption (SEA). The combination of magnetization and electrical polarization in nanocomposite film helps to attain significantly high total shielding effectiveness (SET) in the frequency range of 12–18 GHz. The shielding effectiveness study of both mono-layer and multi-layer nanocomposite films have been investigated. Improvement of SEA has also been achieved by the elevation of the thickness of the nanocomposite film within the range of 0.8 to 1.0 mm, which in turn improves SET to a value of −54.09 dB at 15.70 GHz for multi-layer system of thickness 0.861 mm with >99.999 % of attenuation whereas the mono-layer film of thickness 0.180 mm shows the SET of −47.03 dB at 14.76 GHz with an attenuation of >99.99 %.