Dispersion optimization of exfoliated graphene nanoplatelet in polyetherimide nanocomposites: Extrusion, precoating, and solid state ball milling

Polyetherimide (PEId) nanocomposites reinforced with exfoliated graphite (graphene) nanoplatelets (GNP) were fabricated by various processing methods to achieve good dispersion including: melt-extrusion, precoating, solid state ball milling (SSBM) as well as combinations of these methods. As a result of the precoating approach, the electrical conductivity is greatly increased with a percolation threshold as low as 2 wt% as compared to 10 wt% for melt-extrusion, with the cost of lower mechanical properties. SSBM was investigated as an alternative process to enhance dispersion, adhesion and to reduce GNP size. High electrical conductivity and improved modulus were achieved by this approach. Further improvements to the mechanical properties could be made by combining the extrusion and SSBM approaches. Examination of the nanocomposite morphology explains the effect of these combined compounding approaches on GNP particle dispersion and their relation to the improved GNP/PEId nanocomposite performance. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

[1]  J. Bian,et al.  Comparative study on the exfoliated expanded graphite nanosheet‐PES composites prepared via different compounding method , 2012 .

[2]  W. Zhong,et al.  Dynamic synergy of graphitic nanoplatelets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in polyetherimide nanocomposites , 2010, Nanotechnology.

[3]  Emmanuel P. Giannelis,et al.  Functionalized graphene sheet—Poly(vinylidene fluoride) conductive nanocomposites , 2009 .

[4]  L. Drzal,et al.  Multifunctional xGnP/LLDPE Nanocomposites Prepared by Solution Compounding Using Various Screw Rotating Systems , 2009 .

[5]  Lawrence T. Drzal,et al.  A new compounding method for exfoliated graphite–polypropylene nanocomposites with enhanced flexural properties and lower percolation threshold , 2007 .

[6]  Dajun Wu,et al.  Fabrication of polyethylene/graphite nanocomposite from modified expanded graphite , 2007 .

[7]  S. Stankovich,et al.  Graphene-based composite materials , 2006, Nature.

[8]  A. Hiltner,et al.  Conductivity of polyolefins filled with high‐structure carbon black , 2005 .

[9]  S. Wong,et al.  Electrical and mechanical properties of expanded graphite‐reinforced high‐density polyethylene , 2004 .

[10]  Shing Chung Josh Wong,et al.  Electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of PMMA/expanded graphite composites , 2003 .

[11]  Z. Yu,et al.  Conductive mechanism of polymer/graphite conducting composites with low percolation threshold , 2002 .

[12]  Igor Krupa,et al.  Physical properties of thermoplastic/graphite composites , 2001 .

[13]  Guo-Hua Hu,et al.  A new process of fabricating electrically conducting nylon 6/graphite nanocomposites via intercalation polymerization , 2000 .

[14]  J. T. Lindt,et al.  Electrical properties of exfoliated‐graphite filled polyethylene composites , 1986 .

[15]  S. Wong,et al.  TRANSPORT BEHAVIOR OF PMMA/EXPANDED GRAPHITE NANOCOMPOSITES , 2002 .

[16]  S. Komarneni.  Feature article. Nanocomposites , 1992 .