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Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams

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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: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 38147

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Prof. Dr. Fang-Chyou Chiu

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Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
Interests: polymer physics; polymer blends; polymeric nanomaterials; bio-polymers; foams
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Dr. Kartik Behera

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Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
Interests: polymer blends; blend-based nanocomposites; packaging materials; membrane; foams
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Dear Colleagues,

Carbon (nano)materials have attracted great attention in materials science and engineering in recent decades. Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, fullerenes, graphene, and graphene oxide have found significant interest in the field of polymer-nanocomposites because of their unique properties (high aspect ratio and excellent thermal/mechanical/electrical properties) as fillers. These carbon-integrated polymer composites are very important for advanced engineering applications because of their good thermo-mechanical and electrical properties. These properties are enhanced as a result of the homogeneous dispersion of carbon fillers and good interaction between the polymer matrix and fillers. These carbon-integrated polymer composites have potential applications in various fields, such as sensors, electrochemical capacitors, solar cells, transistors, conductive glue, gas storage devices, and defense purposes.

Polymeric foams continue to be an important class of commodity materials, achieving remarkable progress in different fields such as sports gear, automobiles, orthopedics, etc. Polymeric foams exhibit good structural properties and have excellent functional features due to their complex compositions and (micro)structures in which a gaseous phase and a solid phase are combined mainly via (nano)fillers dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. Developments in new advanced foaming technologies, which have resulted in the generation of new foams with micro, sub-micro, and even nano-cellular structures, have extended the applications of more traditional foams in terms of weight reduction, damping, and thermal and/or acoustic insulation to novel possibilities, such as electromagnetic interference shielding and advanced structural components.

Prof. Dr. Fang-Chyou Chiu
Dr. Kartik Behera
Guest Editors

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Keywords

polymer composites
carbon (nano)fillers
physical properties
electrical properties
foams

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Carbon Materials Modified Polymeric Composites in Polymers (11 articles)

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Research

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16 pages, 5706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-k Three-Phase Epoxy/K_1.6(Ni_0.8Ti_7.2)O₁₆/CNT Composites with Synergetic Effect

by Maria Vikulova, Tatyana Nikityuk, Denis Artyukhov, Alexey Tsyganov, Alexey Bainyashev, Igor Burmistrov and Nikolay Gorshkov

Polymers 2022, 14(3), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14030448 - 22 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2460

Abstract

Polymer matrix composites based on ED-20 epoxy resin, hollandite K_1.6(Ni_0.8Ti_7.2)O₁₆ and carbon nanotubes with a variable content of 0.107; 0.213 and 0.425 vol.% were obtained for the first time. Initial components and composites produced were characterized by XRD, XRA, FTIR, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. The dielectric properties of composite materials were measured by impedance spectroscopy and determined by the volume ratio of the composite components, primarily by the concentration of CNTs. At a CNT content of 0.213 vol.% (before percolation threshold), the maximum synergistic effect of carbon and ceramic fillers on the dielectric properties of a composite based on the epoxy resin was found. Three-phase composites based on epoxy resin, with a maximum permittivity at a minimum dielectric loss tangent, are promising materials for elements of an electronic component base. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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17 pages, 40544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ternary Nanocomposite System Composing of Graphene Nanoplatelet, Cellulose Nanofiber and Jatropha Oil Based Waterborne Polyurethane: Characterizations, Mechanical, Thermal Properties and Conductivity

by Mohamad Ridzuan Amri, Faizah Md Yasin, Luqman Chuah Abdullah, Syeed Saifulazry Osman Al-Edrus and Siti Fatahiyah Mohamad

Polymers 2021, 13(21), 3740; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213740 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1668

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the performance of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) as conductive filler with the presence of 0.5 wt.% cellulose nanofiber (CNF) on the physical, mechanical, conductivity and thermal properties of jatropha oil based waterborne polyurethane. Polyurethane was made from crude jatropha oil using an epoxidation and ring-opening process. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 wt.% GNP and 0.5 wt.% CNF were incorporated using casting method to enhance film performance. Mechanical properties were studied following standard method as stated in ASTM D638-03 Type V. Thermal stability of the nanocomposite system was studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Filler interaction and chemical crosslinking was monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and film morphology were observed with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Water uptake analysis, water contact angle and conductivity tests are also carried out. The results showed that when the GNP was incorporated at fixed CNF content, it was found to enhance the nanocomposite film, its mechanical, thermal and water behavior properties as supported by morphology and water uptake. Nanocomposite film with 0.5 wt.% GNP shows the highest improvement in term of tensile strength, Young’s modulus, thermal degradation and water behavior. As the GNP loading increases, water uptake of the nanocomposite film was found relatively small (<1%). Contact angle test also indicates that the film is hydrophobic with addition of GNP. The conductivity properties of the nanocomposite film were not enhanced due to electrostatic repulsion force between GNP sheet and hard segment of WBPU. Overall, with addition of GNP, mechanical and thermal properties was greatly enhanced. However, conductivity value was not enhanced as expected due to electrostatic repulsion force. Therefore, ternary nanocomposite system is a suitable candidate for coating application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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12 pages, 3343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Coefficient of Thermal Expansion and Moisture Absorption on the Dimensional Accuracy of Carbon-Reinforced 3D Printed Parts

by Jessica L. Faust, Peter G. Kelly, Bruce D. Jones and Joseph D. Roy-Mayhew

Polymers 2021, 13(21), 3637; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213637 - 21 Oct 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3617

Abstract

Environmental effects—temperature and moisture—on 3D printed part dimensional accuracy are explored. The coefficient of thermal expansion of four different nylon materials was determined for XY and ZX print orientations, with 0°, 45°/−45°, and 90° infill patterns. Unreinforced nylon exhibited a thermal expansion coefficient of the same order regardless of condition (from 11.4 to 17.5 × 10⁻⁵ 1/°C), while nylons reinforced with discontinuous carbon fiber were highly anisotropic, for instance exhibiting 2.2 × 10⁻⁵ 1/°C in the flow direction (0° infill angle) and 24.8 × 10⁻⁵ 1/°C in the ZX orientation. The temperature profile of a part during printing is shown, demonstrating a build steady state temperature of ~ 35 °C. The effect of moisture uptake by the part was also explored, with dimensional changes of ~0.5–1.5% seen depending on feature, with height expanding the most. The effects of moisture were significantly reduced for large flat parts with the inclusion of continuous fiber reinforcement throughout the part. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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16 pages, 3607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of the Graphene Filler Nature on the Morphology and Properties of Melt Blended EVOH Based Nanocomposites

by Anthony Blanchard, Fabrice Gouanvé and Eliane Espuche

Polymers 2021, 13(20), 3546; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13203546 - 14 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1483

Abstract

In this study, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) nanocomposites elaborated by melt blending with four different fillers were investigated. Two graphene and two graphite fillers displaying various shapes were selected. The morphology, microstructure, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of the nanocomposite films prepared for 2 wt% fillers were analyzed with the aim to establish structure–function properties relationships. The nanocomposites properties significantly depended on the nature of the incorporated filler. The nanocomposite film prepared with the expanded graphite filler exhibited the highest Young modulus value (E = 1430 MPa) and the best barrier properties. Indeed, barrier properties, rarely studied at high water activities, evidenced a significant improvement with a decrease of the water vapor permeability by a factor 1.8 and of the oxygen permeabilities by a factor close to 2, for a critical water activity higher than 0.95. An increase of the thermal stability was also evidenced for this nanocomposite. It was shown that for all studied nanocomposites, the properties could be related to the dispersion state of the fillers and the simultaneous increase of the crystallinity of the matrix. A specific equation was proposed to take into account these both parameters to accurately predict the nanocomposite barrier properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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12 pages, 4413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Carbon Nanofibres on the Interfacial Properties of CFRPs Produced with Sized Carbon Fibres

by Zhenxue Zhang, Xiaoying Li, Simon Jestin, Stefania Termine, Aikaterini-Flora Trompeta, Andreia Araújo, Raquel M. Santos, Costas Charitidis and Hanshan Dong

Polymers 2021, 13(20), 3457; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13203457 - 09 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1478

Abstract

In this work, different amounts of CNFs were added into a complex formulation to coat the CFs surfaces via sizing in order to enhance the bonding between the fibre and the resin in the CF-reinforced polymer composites. The sized CFs bundles were characterised by SEM and Raman. The nanomechanical properties of the composite materials produced were assessed by the nanoindentation test. The interfacial properties of the fibre and resin were evaluated by a push-out method developed on nanoindentation. The average interfacial shear strength of the fibre/matrix interface could be calculated by the critical load, sheet thickness and fibre diameter. The contact angle measurements and resin spreadability were performed prior to nanoindentation to investigate the wetting properties of the fibre. After the push-out tests, the characterisation via optical microscopy/SEM was carried out to ratify the results. It was found the CFs sizing with CNFs (1 to 10 wt%) could generally increase the interfacial shear strength but it was more cost-effective with a small amount of evenly distributed CNFs on CFs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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15 pages, 4316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polycarbonate/Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-Blend-Based Nanocomposites—Effect of Adding Different Carbon Nanofillers/Organoclay

by Fang-Chyou Chiu, Kartik Behera, He-Jie Cai and Yen-Hsiang Chang

Polymers 2021, 13(16), 2626; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13162626 - 06 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2127

Abstract

Carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) individually or doubly served as reinforcing fillers in polycarbonate (PC)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-blend (designated CF)-based nanocomposites. Additionally, organo-montmorillonite (15A) was incorporated simultaneously with the individual carbon fillers to form hybrid filler nanocomposites. Microscopic images confirmed the selective localization of carbon fillers, mainly in the continuous PC phase, while 15A located in the PVDF domains. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that blending PVDF with PC or forming single/double carbon filler composites resulted in lower PVDF crystallization temperature during cooling. However, PVDF crystallization was promoted by the inclusion of 15A, and the growth of β-form crystals was induced. The rigidity of the CF blend increased after the formation of nanocomposites. Among the three individually added carbon fillers, GnPs improved the CF moduli the most; the simultaneous loading of CNT/GnP resulted in the highest moduli by up to 33%/46% increases in tensile/flexural moduli, respectively, compared with those of the CF blend. Rheological viscosity results showed that adding CNTs increased the complex viscosity of the blend to a greater extent than did adding CB or GnPs, and the viscosity further increased after adding 15A. The electrical resistivity of the blend decreased with the inclusion of carbon fillers, particularly with CNT loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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17 pages, 6101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Graphene Oxide Additive on the Steady-State and Dynamic Shear Properties of PDMS-Based Magnetorheological Elastomer

by Minzi Liu, Mei Zhang, Jiangtao Zhang, Yanliang Qiao and Pengcheng Zhai

Polymers 2021, 13(11), 1777; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13111777 - 28 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2170

Abstract

Isotropic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) filled with various contents of graphene oxide (GO) additive were fabricated by the solution blending-casting method in this work. The morphologies of the produced MREs were characterized, and the results indicate that the uniform distribution of GO sheets and carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) becomes difficult with the increase of GO content. The steady-state and dynamic shear properties of the MREs under different magnetic field strengths were evaluated using parallel plate rheometer. It was found that the physical stiffness effect of GO sheets leads to the increase of the zero-field shear modulus with increasing GO content under both the steady-state and dynamic shear loads. The chemical crosslinking density of PDMS matrix decreases with the GO content due to the strong physical crosslinking between GO and the PDMS matrix. Thus, the MREs filled with higher GO content exhibit more fluid-like behavior. Under the dynamic shear load, the absolute MR effect increases with the GO content due to the increased flexibility of the PDMS matrix and the dynamic self-stiffening effect occurring in the physical crosslinking interfaces around GO sheets. The highest relative MR effect was achieved by the MREs filled with 0.1 wt.% GO sheets. Then, the relative MR effect decreases with the further increase of GO content due to the improved zero-field modulus and the increased agglomerations of GO and CIPs. This study shows that the addition of GO sheets is a possible way to prepare new MREs with high MR effect, while simultaneously possessing high zero-field stiffness and load bearing capability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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28 pages, 9674 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ionic EAP Actuators with Electrodes Based on Carbon Nanomaterials

by Nikolay I. Alekseyev, Ivan K. Khmelnitskiy, Vagarshak M. Aivazyan, Anton P. Broyko, Andrey V. Korlyakov and Victor V. Luchinin

Polymers 2021, 13(23), 4137; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13234137 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1857

Abstract

Flexible polymer-based actuators, often also called artificial muscles, are an essential part of biomimetic systems that mimic the movement principles of animal world creatures. The most used electrode material to force the actuator move is an ensemble of noble metal nanoparticles in the electroactive polymer surface. Noble metal electrodes have enough electrical conductivity and elasticity and are not subjected to oxidation. However, high cost of such electrodes and their tendency to cracking dictate the need for searching other materials, primarily carbon ones. The review considers several options for this search. For example, carbon nanotubes and graphene have excellent properties at the level of a single individually taken nanotube or graphene sheet. However, conservation of these properties in structurally imperfect film electrodes requires a separate study. In addition, there are problems of compatibility of such electrodes with the polymers that requires cumbersome technologies, e.g., hot pressing, which complicates the production of the actuator as a whole. The review concerns the technology options of manufacturing actuators and the results obtained on their basis, both including hot pressing and avoiding this procedure. In particular, the required level of the graphene oxide reduction in hydrazine provides sufficient adhesion at rather high electrical conductivity of the graphene film. The ability to simultaneous achieving these properties is a nontrivial result, providing the same level of actuation as with expensive noble metal electrodes. Actuators that additionally require greater lifetime resource should be obtained in other ways. Among them are using the graphdiyne electrodes and laser processing of the graphene electrodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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25 pages, 6795 KiB

Open AccessReview

Development of Graphene-Based Polymeric Nanocomposites: A Brief Overview

by Ana M. Díez-Pascual

Polymers 2021, 13(17), 2978; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13172978 - 02 Sep 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3456

Abstract

Graphene (G) and its derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO), have outstanding electrical, mechanical, thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties, owed to their 2D structure and large specific surface area. Further, their combination with polymers leads to novel nanocomposites with enhanced structural and functional properties due to synergistic effects. Such nanocomposites are becoming increasingly useful in a wide variety of fields ranging from biomedicine to the electronics and energy storage applications. In this review, a brief introduction on the aforementioned G derivatives is presented, and different strategies to develop polymeric nanocomposites are described. Several functionalization methods including covalent and non-covalent approaches to increase their interaction with polymers are summarized, and selected examples are provided. Further, applications of this type of nanocomposites in the field of energy are discussed, including lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, transparent conductive electrodes, counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells, and active layers of organic solar cells. Finally, the challenges and future outlook for G-based polymeric nanocomposites are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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44 pages, 23089 KiB

Open AccessReview

Fabrication, Functionalization, and Application of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Composite: An Overview

by Norizan Mohd Nurazzi, M.R.M. Asyraf, Abdan Khalina, Norli Abdullah, Fatimah Athiyah Sabaruddin, Siti Hasnah Kamarudin, So’bah Ahmad, Annie Maria Mahat, Chuan Li Lee, H. A. Aisyah, Mohd Nor Faiz Norrrahim, R. A. Ilyas, M. M. Harussani, M. R. Ishak and S. M. Sapuan

Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1047; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13071047 - 26 Mar 2021

Cited by 197 | Viewed by 16156

Abstract

A novel class of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nanomaterials has been surging since 1991 due to their noticeable mechanical and electrical properties, as well as their good electron transport properties. This is evidence that the development of CNT-reinforced polymer composites could contribute in expanding many areas of use, from energy-related devices to structural components. As a promising material with a wide range of applications, their poor solubility in aqueous and organic solvents has hindered the utilizations of CNTs. The current state of research in CNTs—both single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced polymer composites—was reviewed in the context of the presently employed covalent and non-covalent functionalization. As such, this overview intends to provide a critical assessment of a surging class of composite materials and unveil the successful development associated with CNT-incorporated polymer composites. The mechanisms related to the mechanical, thermal, and electrical performance of CNT-reinforced polymer composites is also discussed. It is vital to understand how the addition of CNTs in a polymer composite alters the microstructure at the micro- and nano-scale, as well as how these modifications influence overall structural behavior, not only in its as fabricated form but also its functionalization techniques. The technological superiority gained with CNT addition to polymer composites may be advantageous, but scientific values are here to be critically explored for reliable, sustainable, and structural reliability in different industrial needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Integrated Polymer Composites and Foams)

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