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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 May 2024 | Viewed by 11325

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Evgeny Galunin

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Department of Organic and Ecological Chemistry, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia
Interests: carbon nanomaterials; hybrid nanocomposites; sorption-desorption; purification of soils and aquatic media; sorption kinetics; sorption isotherms; modelling; sorbent characterization/analysis; engineered barriers of deep geological repositories; clays; pollutant lixiviation; pH-stat environmental tests

Prof. Dr. Alexander Burakov

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Research Department of Technology and Methods of Nanoproducts Manufacturing, Tambov State Technical University, Tambov, Russia
Interests: carbon nanomaterials; polymers; hybrid nanocomposites; sorption-desorption; purification of soils and aquatic media; sorption kinetics; sorption isotherms; modelling; sorbent characterization/analysis

Dr. Tatyana Dyachkova

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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Carbon forms many allotropic modifications, such as graphite, diamond, and nanosized structures (fullerenes, graphene, nanodiamonds, nanotubes, and nanofibers). The combination of the latter with polymer matrices leads to the formation of composites with improved characteristics (excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, high thermal and electrical conductivity). They can be employed in electronics, mechanical engineering, aviation, spacecraft, medical equipment, prostheses, sports equipment production, etc.

Considering the constantly increasing demands placed on materials in the modern world, research aimed at developing such composites seems very relevant. Besides, chemical modification of the carbon materials’ surface allows for interaction with polymer matrices, thereby achieving higher performance in various useful characteristics. Moreover, the combined use of various carbon materials in composites often contributes to synergistic effects.

This Special Issue focuses on the latest research in the preparation, characterization and application of carbon/polymer composite materials.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

Synthesis of novel carbon/polymer composites;
Synthesis and chemical modification of carbon fillers of polymer composites;
Structure and properties of carbon/polymer composites;
Technology for manufacturing carbon/polymer composites;
Theoretical simulation of the synthesis, structure and properties of carbon/polymer composites;
Application of novel carbon/polymer composites in advanced technology and medicine.

Dr. Evgeny Galunin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

carbon nanomaterials
polymer materials
hybrid materials
synergistic effects
polymer composites
functionalization
mechanical properties
thermal and electrical conductivity
theory and simulation
synthesis
physics
analysis

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 9128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rheological and Flexural Strength Characteristics of Cement Mixtures through the Synergistic Effects of Graphene Oxide and PVA Fibers

by Byoung Hooi Cho, Dong Wook Choi and Mi Hwan Park

Polymers 2024, 16(4), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040482 - 08 Feb 2024

Viewed by 574

Abstract

This study investigates the synergistic effects of incorporating graphene oxide (GO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers into cement paste mixtures, aiming to modify their rheological properties and flexural behaviors with resistance to crack formation. The relationship between static yield stress and critical shear strain was examined in ten cement paste mixtures with varying concentrations of 6 mm and 12 mm PVA fibers and 0.05% GO. Additionally, viscosity analyses were performed. For the specimens fabricated from these mixtures, flexural strength tests were conducted using the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique for precise strain analysis under load history. The results indicated a significant increase in static yield stress, viscosity, and critical shear strain due to the combined addition of GO and PVA fibers, more so than when added individually. Notably, in PVA fiber-reinforced cement mixtures, the integration of GO increased the crack initiation load by up to 23% and enhanced pre-crack strain by 30 to 50%, demonstrating a notable delay in crack initiation and a reduction in crack propagation. Microstructural analyses using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) revealed a concentrated presence of GO around and on the PVA fibers. This promotes increased C-S-H gel formation, resulting in a denser microstructure. Additionally, GO effectively interacts with PVA fibers, enhancing the adherence of hydration products at their interface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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14 pages, 2673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temperature-Responsive Separation Membrane with High Antifouling Performance for Efficient Separation

by Tong Ji, Yuan Ji, Xiangli Meng and Qi Wang

Polymers 2024, 16(3), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16030416 - 01 Feb 2024

Viewed by 736

Abstract

Temperature-responsive separation membranes can significantly change their permeability and separation properties in response to changes in their surrounding temperature, improving efficiency and reducing membrane costs. This study focuses on the modification of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes with amphiphilic temperature-responsive copolymer and inorganic nanoparticles. We prepared an amphiphilic temperature-responsive copolymer in which the hydrophilic poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was side-linked to a hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) skeleton. Subsequently, PVDF-g-PNIPAAm polymer and graphene oxide (GO) were blended with PVDF to prepare temperature-responsive separation membranes. The results showed that temperature-responsive polymers with different NIPAAm grafting ratios were successfully prepared by adjusting the material ratio of NIPAAm to PVDF. PVDF-g-PNIPAAm was blended with PVDF with different grafting ratios to obtain separate membranes with different temperature responses. GO and PVDF-g-PNIPAAm formed a relatively stable hydrogen bond network, which improved the internal structure and antifouling performance of the membrane without affecting the temperature response, thus extending the service life of the membrane. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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17 pages, 12179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pyrolytic Modification of Heavy Coal Tar by Multi-Polymer Blending: Preparation of Ordered Carbonaceous Mesophase

by Lei Zhang, Chunjiang Liu, Yang Jia, Yidan Mu, Yao Yan and Pengcheng Huang

Polymers 2024, 16(1), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010161 - 04 Jan 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 809

Abstract

In order to achieve the high-value utilization of heavy tar for the production of enhanced-performance graphite foam carbon, the carbon mesophase was ready from the heavy component of low-temperature coal tar, and the coal tar was modified by styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), polyethylene (PE) and ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) copolymers. The order degree of the carbonite mesophase was analyzed using a polarizing microscope test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to screen out the most suitable copolymer type and addition amount. Furthermore, the mechanism of modification by this copolymer was analyzed. The results showed that adding SBS, PE and EVA to coal tar would affect the order of carbonaceous mesophase; however, at an addition rate of 10.0 wt.%, the linear-structure SBS copolymer with a styrene/butadiene ratio (S/B) of 30/70 exhibited the optimal degree of ordering in the carbonaceous mesophase. Its foam carbon prepared by polymer modification is the only one that forms a graphitized structure, with d₀₀₂ of 0.3430 nm, and the maximum values of Lc and La are 3.54 nm and 2.22 nm, respectively. This is because, under elevated pressure and high-temperature conditions, SBS underwent chain scission, releasing a more significant number of methyl and other free radicals that interacted with the coal tar constituents. As a result, it reduced the affinity density of heavy coal tar molecules, enhanced fluidity, promoted the stacking of condensed aromatic hydrocarbons and increased the content of soluble carbonaceous mesophase, ultimately leading to a more favorable alignment of the carbonaceous mesophase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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19 pages, 10880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure and Deformation Behavior of Polyphenylene Sulfide-Based Laminates Reinforced with Carbon Fiber Tapes Activated by Cold Atmospheric Plasma

by Pavel V. Kosmachev, Sergey V. Panin, Iliya L. Panov and Svetlana A. Bochkareva

Polymers 2024, 16(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010121 - 29 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 645

Abstract

Low-temperature plasma treatment with atmospheric discharge with runaway electrons (DRE) was shown to be an efficient way to activate carbon fiber’s (CF) surface and subsequently increase its interlayer shear strength (ILSS) values. It was demonstrated that an acceptable ILSS level was achieved after a DRE plasma treatment duration of 15 min. The treatment of CFs resulted in their surface roughness being increased and their functional groups grafting. The XPS data showed a change in the chemical composition and the formation of reactive oxygen-containing groups. SEM examinations of the PPS/CF laminates clearly demonstrated a difference in adhesive interaction at the PPS/CF interface. After the DRE plasma treatment, CFs were better wetted with the polymer, and the samples cohesively fractured predominantly through the matrix, but not along the PPS/CF interface, as was observed for the sample reinforced with the untreated CFs. The computer simulation results showed that raising the adhesive strength enhanced the ILSS values, but reduced resistance to transverse cracking under the loading pin. In general, higher flexural strength of the PPS/CF laminates was achieved with a greater interlayer adhesion level, which was consistent with the obtained experimental data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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20 pages, 8636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Catalytic Design of Matrix-Isolated Ni-Polymer Composites for Methane Catalytic Decomposition

by Mayya V. Kulikova, Mikhail I. Ivantsov, Anastasia E. Sotnikova and Vadim O. Samoilov

Polymers 2023, 15(11), 2534; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15112534 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1371

Abstract

Targeted synthesis of C/composite Ni-based material was carried out by the method of matrix isolation. The composite was formed with regard to the features of the reaction of catalytic decomposition of methane. The morphology and physicochemical properties of these materials have been characterized using a number of methods: elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction (TPR-H₂), specific surface areas (SSA), thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC). It was shown by FTIR spectroscopy that nickel ions are immobilized on the polymer molecule of polyvinyl alcohol, and during heat treatment, polycondensation sites are formed on the surface of the polymer molecule. By the method of Raman spectroscopy, it was shown that already at a temperature of 250 °C, a developed conjugation system with sp2-hybridized carbon atoms begins to form. The SSA method shows that the formation of the composite material resulted in a matrix with a developed specific surface area of 20 to 214 m²/g. The XRD method shows that nanoparticles are essentially characterized by Ni, NiO reflexes. The composite material was established by microscopy methods to be a layered structure with uniformly distributed nickel-containing particles 5–10 nm in size. The XPS method determined that metallic nickel was present on the surface of the material. A high specific activity was found in the process of catalytic decomposition of methane—from 0.9 to 1.4 g_H2/g_cat/h, X_CH4, from 33 to 45% at a reaction temperature of 750 °C without the stage of catalyst preliminary activation. During the reaction, the formation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes occurs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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20 pages, 4017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Epoxy Composites Containing Carbon Nanotubes/Graphene Mixtures

by Tatiana P. Dyachkova, Yulian A. Khan, Elena A. Burakova, Evgeny V. Galunin, Gulnara N. Shigabaeva, Dmitry N. Stolbov, Georgy A. Titov, Nikolay A. Chapaksov and Alexey G. Tkachev

Polymers 2023, 15(6), 1476; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15061476 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1859

Abstract

The paper considers the development of fillers representing mixtures of carbon nanotubes and graphene materials (graphene oxide and graphene nanoplatelets) in different mass ratios to modify epoxy resin. The graphene type and content effect on the dispersed phase particle effective sizes—both in aqueous suspensions and the resin—was analyzed. Hybrid particles were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The composites containing 0.15–1.00 wt.% CNTs/GO and CNTs/GNPs were thermogravimetrically analyzed, and their mechanical characteristics were determined. SEM images of the composite fracture surfaces were acquired. Optimal dispersions containing 75–100 nm particles were obtained at the CNTs:GO mass ratio of 1:4. It was shown that the CNTs can be located between the GO layers and on the GNP surface. The samples containing up to 0.2 wt.% CNTs/GO (at 1:1 and 1:4 ratios) were stable when heated in air up to 300 °C. For 0.15–0.20 wt.% CNTs/GO (at 1:1 ratio), the tensile strength and modulus of the composite increased by 84–88 and 40%, respectively. The increase in the strength characteristics was found to occur due to the interaction of the filler layered structure with the polymer matrix. The obtained composites can be used as structural materials in different fields of engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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17 pages, 4300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of a Polyaniline-Modified Hybrid Graphene Aerogel-Like Nanocomposite for Efficient Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions from Aquatic Media

by Tatiana S. Kuznetsova, Alexander E. Burakov, Irina V. Burakova, Tatiana V. Pasko, Tatiana P. Dyachkova, Elina S. Mkrtchyan, Anastasia E. Memetova, Oksana A. Ananyeva, Gulnara N. Shigabaeva and Evgeny V. Galunin

Polymers 2023, 15(5), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15051101 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1640

Abstract

This paper considers the synthesis of a novel nanocomposite based on reduced graphene oxide and oxidized carbon nanotubes modified with polyaniline and phenol-formaldehyde resin and developed through the carbonization of a pristine aerogel. It was tested as an efficient adsorbent to purify aquatic media from toxic Pb(II). Diagnostic assessment of the samples was carried out through X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The carbonized aerogel was found to preserve the carbon framework structure. The sample porosity was estimated through nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. It was found that the carbonized aerogel predominantly represented a mesoporous material having a specific surface area of 315 m²/g. After carbonization, an increase in smaller micropores occurred. According to the electron images, the highly porous structure of the carbonized composite was preserved. The adsorption capacity of the carbonized material was studied for liquid-phase Pb(II) extraction in static mode. The experiment results showed that the maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacity of the carbonized aerogel was 185 mg/g (at pH 6.0). The results of the desorption studies showed a very low desorption rate (0.3%) at pH 6.5 and a rate of about 40% in a strongly acidic medium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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15 pages, 3408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermoelectric Properties of N-Type Poly (Ether Ether Ketone)/Carbon Nanofiber Melt-Processed Composites

by Antonio Jose Paleo, Beate Krause, Delfim Soares, Manuel Melle-Franco, Enrique Muñoz, Petra Pötschke and Ana Maria Rocha

Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4803; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224803 - 08 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1282

Abstract

The thermoelectric properties, at temperatures from 30 °C to 100 °C, of melt-processed poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composites prepared with 10 wt.% of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are discussed in this work. At 30 °C, the PEEK/CNF composites show an electrical conductivity (σ) of ~27 S m⁻¹ and a Seebeck coefficient (S) of −3.4 μV K⁻¹, which means that their majority charge carriers are electrons. The origin of this negative Seebeck is deduced because of the impurities present in the as-received CNFs, which may cause sharply varying and localized states at approximately 0.086 eV above the Fermi energy level (E_F) of CNFs. Moreover, the lower S, in absolute value, found in PEEK/CNF composites, when compared with the S of as-received CNFs (−5.3 μV K⁻¹), is attributed to a slight electron withdrawing from the external layers of CNFs by the PEEK matrix. At temperatures from 30 °C to 100 °C, the σ (T) of PEEK/CNF composites, in contrast to the σ (T) of as-received CNFs, shows a negative temperature effect, understood through the 3D variable-range hopping (VRH) model, as a thermally activated hopping mechanism across a random network of potential wells. Moreover, their nonlinear S (T) follows the same behavior reported before for polypropylene composites melt-processed with similar CNFs at the same interval of temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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Review

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18 pages, 6778 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Graphene–Polymer Nanocomposite Foams for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

by Jiaotong Sun and Dan Zhou

Polymers 2023, 15(15), 3235; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15153235 - 29 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1288

Abstract

With the continuous advancement of wireless communication technology, the use of electromagnetic radiation has led to issues such as electromagnetic interference and pollution. To address the problem of electromagnetic radiation, there is a growing need for high-performance electromagnetic shielding materials. Graphene, a unique carbon nanomaterial with a two-dimensional structure and exceptional electrical and mechanical properties, offers advantages such as flexibility, light weight, good chemical stability, and high electromagnetic shielding efficiency. Consequently, it has emerged as an ideal filler in electromagnetic shielding composites, garnering significant attention. In order to meet the requirements of high efficiency and low weight for electromagnetic shielding materials, researchers have explored the use of graphene–polymer nanocomposite foams with a cellular structure. This mini-review provides an overview of the common methods used to prepare graphene–polymer nanocomposite foams and highlights the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of some representative nanocomposite foams. Additionally, the future prospects for the development of graphene–polymer nanocomposite foams as electromagnetic shielding materials are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon/Polymer Composite Materials)

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