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Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials
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Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2022) | Viewed by 23312

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jadwiga Laska

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Guest Editor
Department of Biomaterials and Composites, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Interests: polymer materials; biomaterials; composites; polymer chemistry; general organic chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer and polymer-based composite materials have become a crucial part of our lives because of their unique properties, such as low weight, relatively easy processability, corrosion resistance, etc. The broad variety of polymer properties is the main reason for the assortment of applications. Polymer materials and composites are extensively applied in the production of packaging, machine parts, sport equipment, electronic instruments, and medical devices as well as in home building, military, and spacecraft industries. Polymers have to be durable or biodegradable, designed to work in common or highly demanding environments. All these requirements trigger the design of polymer-based materials with very exact properties depending on the chemical structure of a polymer, interfacial interactions in the composite, and so on. On the other hand, also taken into consideration are methods of fabrication and processing. Original papers on macro-, micro-, and nanomaterials based on polymers or polymer–matrix composites and their characterization and fabrication are being sought.

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue “Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials”. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jadwiga Laska
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. Materials 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 2600 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

  • polymer materials
  • composite materials
  • physicochemical properties
  • mechanical properties
  • surface properties
  • interfacial interactions
  • manufacturing

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 5045 KiB  
Article
Rational Design of Mesoporous Silica (SBA-15)/PF (Phenolic Resin) Nanocomposites by Tuning the Pore Sizes of Mesoporous Silica
by Hongxia Liu, Yijia Lao, Jiayi Wang, Junjie Jiang, Chuanbai Yu and Yuanli Liu
Materials 2022, 15(24), 8879; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15248879 - 12 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1195
Abstract
The development of composite materials with functional additives proved to be an effective way to improve or supplement the required properties of polymers. Herein, mesoporous silica (SBA-15) with different pore sizes were used as functional additives to prepare SBA-15/PF (phenolic resin) nanocomposites, which [...] Read more.
The development of composite materials with functional additives proved to be an effective way to improve or supplement the required properties of polymers. Herein, mesoporous silica (SBA-15) with different pore sizes were used as functional additives to prepare SBA-15/PF (phenolic resin) nanocomposites, which were prepared by in situ polymerization and then, compression molding. The physical properties and structural parameters of SBA-15 with different pore sizes were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal properties of the SBA-15/PF hybrid were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The mechanical, friction, and dynamic mechanical properties of SBA-15/PF nanocomposites were also studied. The results revealed that the pore sizes of SBA-15 have a significant effect on the resulting SBA-15/PF hybrid and SBA-15/PF nanocomposites. The thermal stability of the SBA-15/PF hybrid was dramatically improved in comparison with pure PF. The friction and dynamic mechanical properties of the SBA-15/PF nanocomposites were enhanced significantly. Specifically, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposite increased by 19.0 °C for the SBA-15/PF nanocomposites modified with SBA-15-3. In addition, the nanocomposite exhibited a more stable friction coefficient and a lower wear rate at a high temperature. The enhancement in thermal and frictional properties for the nanocomposites is ascribed to the confinement of the PF chains or chain segments in the mesopores channels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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15 pages, 2991 KiB  
Article
The Accelerated Aging Impact on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polypropylene Composites with Sedimentary Rock Opoka-Hybrid Natural Filler
by Paulina Jakubowska, Grzegorz Borkowski, Dariusz Brząkalski, Bogna Sztorch, Arkadiusz Kloziński and Robert E. Przekop
Materials 2022, 15(1), 338; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15010338 - 04 Jan 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1945
Abstract
This paper presents the impact of accelerated aging on selected mechanical and thermal properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites filled with sedimentary hybrid natural filler-Opoka rock. The filler was used in two forms: an industrial raw material originating as a subsieve fraction natural [...] Read more.
This paper presents the impact of accelerated aging on selected mechanical and thermal properties of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) composites filled with sedimentary hybrid natural filler-Opoka rock. The filler was used in two forms: an industrial raw material originating as a subsieve fraction natural material, and a rock calcinated at 1000 °C for production of phosphorous sorbents. Fillers were incorporated with constant amount of 5 wt % of the resulting composite, and the material was subjected to accelerated weathering tests with different exposition times. The neat polypropylene and composites with calcium carbonate as a reference filler material were used for comparison. The aim of the research was to determine the possibility of using the Opoka rock as a new hybrid filler for polypropylene, which could be an alternative to the widely used calcium carbonate and silica. The thermal, mechanical, and structural properties were evaluated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR/ATR) prior to and after accelerated aging. As a result, it was found that the composites of polypropylene with Opoka were characterized by similar or higher functional properties and higher resistance to photodegradation compared to composites with conventional calcium carbonate. The results of measurements of mechanical properties, structural and surface changes, and the carbonyl index as a function of accelerated aging proved that Opoka was an effective ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer, significantly exceeding the reference calcium carbonate in this respect. The new hybrid filler of natural origin in the form of Opoka can therefore be used not only as a typical powder filler, but above all as a UV blocker/stabilizer, thus extending the life of polypropylene composites, especially for outdoor applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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23 pages, 8673 KiB  
Article
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Inverse Nanocomposite Made from Polylactide and Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles
by Elżbieta Pietrzykowska, Barbara Romelczyk-Baishya, Agnieszka Chodara, Iwona Koltsov, Hilary Smogór, Jan Mizeracki, Zbigniew Pakieła and Witold Łojkowski
Materials 2022, 15(1), 184; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15010184 - 27 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2548
Abstract
Polymer nanocomposites have been extensively researched for a variety of applications, including medical osteoregenerative implants. However, no satisfactory solution has yet been found for regeneration of big, and so-called critical, bone losses. The requirement is to create a resorbable material which is characterised [...] Read more.
Polymer nanocomposites have been extensively researched for a variety of applications, including medical osteoregenerative implants. However, no satisfactory solution has yet been found for regeneration of big, and so-called critical, bone losses. The requirement is to create a resorbable material which is characterised by optimum porosity, sufficient strength, and elastic modulus matching that of the bone, thus stimulating tissue regrowth. Inverse nanocomposites, where the ceramic content is larger than the polymer content, are a recent development. Due to their high ceramic content, they may offer the required properties for bone implants, currently not met by polymer nanocomposites with a small number of nanoparticles. This paper presents inverse nanocomposites composed of bioresorbable nano crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAP NPs) and polylactide (PLLA), produced by cryomilling and a warm isostatic pressing method. The following compositions were studied: 25%, 50%, and 75% of HAP NPs by volume. The mechanical properties and structure of these composites were examined. It was discovered that 50% volume content was optimal as far as compressive strength and porosity are concerned. The inverse nanocomposite with 50% nanoceramics volume displayed a compressive strength of 99 ± 4 MPa, a contact angle of 50°, and 25% porosity, which make this material a candidate for further studies as a bioresorbable bone implant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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16 pages, 7166 KiB  
Article
Thermal Deformations of Thermoplast during 3D Printing: Warping in the Case of ABS
by Jakub Ramian, Jan Ramian and Daniel Dziob
Materials 2021, 14(22), 7070; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14227070 - 21 Nov 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2858
Abstract
This research focuses on thermal deformations of thermoplast during three-dimensional printing. A filament acrylonitrile butadiene styrene was used, and the main focus was put on warping. Twenty-seven cuboids divided in six categories by their length, height, surface area, color, nozzle temperature and bed [...] Read more.
This research focuses on thermal deformations of thermoplast during three-dimensional printing. A filament acrylonitrile butadiene styrene was used, and the main focus was put on warping. Twenty-seven cuboids divided in six categories by their length, height, surface area, color, nozzle temperature and bed temperature were printed by Fused Filament Fabrication 3D printer. The whole process was captured by a thermal camera and the movies were used to analyze the temperature distribution during printing. All printouts were measured and scanned with a 3D scanner in order to highlight any abbreviations from the original digital models. The obtained results were used to formulate some general conclusions on the influence of selected parameters on the warping process. Based on the outcomes of the study, a set of guidelines on how to minimalize warping was proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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19 pages, 3753 KiB  
Article
Effects of Montmorillonite and Gentamicin Addition on the Properties of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Fibers
by Ewa Stodolak-Zych, Roksana Kurpanik, Ewa Dzierzkowska, Marcin Gajek, Łukasz Zych, Karol Gryń and Alicja Rapacz-Kmita
Materials 2021, 14(22), 6905; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14226905 - 16 Nov 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1609
Abstract
Electrospinning was used to obtain multifunctional fibrous composite materials with a matrix of poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) and 2 wt.% addition of a nanofiller: montmorillonite (MMT), montmorillonite intercalated with gentamicin sulphate (MMTG) or gentamicin sulphate (G). In the first stage, the aluminosilicate gallery was modified [...] Read more.
Electrospinning was used to obtain multifunctional fibrous composite materials with a matrix of poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) and 2 wt.% addition of a nanofiller: montmorillonite (MMT), montmorillonite intercalated with gentamicin sulphate (MMTG) or gentamicin sulphate (G). In the first stage, the aluminosilicate gallery was modified by introducing gentamicin sulfate into it, and the effectiveness of the intercalation process was confirmed on the basis of changes in the clay particle size from 0.5 µm (for MMT) to 0.8 µm (for MMTG), an increase in the interplanar distance d001 from 12.3 Å (for MMT) to 13.9 Å (for MMTG) and altered clay grain morphology. In the second part of the experiment, the electrospinning process was carried out in which the polymer nonwovens with and without the modifier were prepared directly from dichloromethane (DCM) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The nanocomposite fibrous membranes containing montmorillonite were prepared from the same polymer solution but after homogenization with the modifier (13 wt.%). The degree of dispersion of the modifier was evaluated by average microarray analysis from observed area (EDS), which was also used to determine the intercalation of montmorillonite with gentamicin sulfate. An increase in the size of the fibers was found for the materials with the presence of the modifier, with the largest diameters measured for PCL_MMT (625 nm), and the smaller ones for PCL_MMTG (578 nm) and PCL_G (512 nm). The dispersion of MMT and MMTG in the PCL fibers was also confirmed by indirect studies such as change in mechanical properties of the nonwovens membrane, where the neat PCL nonwoven was used as a reference material. The addition of the modifier reduced the contact angle of PCL nonwovens (from 120° for PCL to 96° for PCL_G and 98° for PCL_MMTG). An approximately 10% increase in tensile strength of the nonwoven fabric with the addition of MMT compared to the neat PCL nonwoven fabric was also observed. The results of microbiological tests showed antibacterial activity of all obtained materials; however, the inhibition zones were the highest for the materials containing gentamicin sulphate, and the release time of the active substance was significantly extended for the materials with the addition of montmorillonite containing the antibiotic. The results clearly show that the electrospinning technique can be effectively used to obtain nanobiocomposite fibers with the addition of nonintercalated and intercalated montmorillonite with improved strength and increased stiffness compared to materials made only of the polymer fibers, provided that a high filler dispersion in the spinning solution is obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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13 pages, 24441 KiB  
Article
Effects of the Manufacturing Methods on the Mechanical Properties of a Medical-Grade Copolymer Poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) and Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) Blend
by Mariana Rodriguez Reinoso, Marco Civera, Vito Burgio, Annalisa Chiappone, Oliver Grimaldo Ruiz, Alessandra D’Anna, Carmela Riccio, Ignazio Roppolo, Alberto Frache, Paola Antonaci and Cecilia Surace
Materials 2021, 14(21), 6381; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14216381 - 25 Oct 2021
Viewed by 1416
Abstract
Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers represent the future in the manufacturing of medical implantable solutions. As of today, these are generally manufactured with metallic components which cannot be naturally absorbed within the human body. This requires performing an additional surgical procedure to remove the [...] Read more.
Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers represent the future in the manufacturing of medical implantable solutions. As of today, these are generally manufactured with metallic components which cannot be naturally absorbed within the human body. This requires performing an additional surgical procedure to remove the remnants after complete rehabilitation or to leave the devices in situ indefinitely. Nevertheless, the biomaterials used for this purpose must satisfy well-defined mechanical requirements. These are difficult to ascertain at the design phase since they depend not only on their physicochemical properties but also on the specific manufacturing methods used for the target application. Therefore, this research was focused on establishing the effects of the manufacturing methods on both the mechanical properties and the thermal behavior of a medical-grade copolymer blend. Specifically, Injection and Compression Molding were considered. A Poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide)/Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) blend was considered for this investigation, with a ratio of 50/50 (w/w), aimed at the manufacturing of implantable devices for tendon repair. Interesting results were obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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12 pages, 3830 KiB  
Article
Experimental Determination of Coefficients for the Renner Model of the Thermodynamic Equation of State of the Poly(butylene succinate) and Wheat Bran Biocomposites
by Emil Sasimowski, Łukasz Majewski, Tomasz Jachowicz and Michał Sąsiadek
Materials 2021, 14(18), 5293; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14185293 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1409
Abstract
This paper presents the assumptions of a thermodynamic equation of state for polymers according to the Renner model. The experiments involved extruding a biocomposite based on poly(butylene succinate) that was filled with ground wheat bran with its size not exceeding 200 μm. The [...] Read more.
This paper presents the assumptions of a thermodynamic equation of state for polymers according to the Renner model. The experiments involved extruding a biocomposite based on poly(butylene succinate) that was filled with ground wheat bran with its size not exceeding 200 μm. The biocomposite was produced in pellet form with three different contents by weight of wheat bran, i.e., 10%, 30% and 50%. All specimens were examined for their thermodynamic p-v-T characteristics. Taking advantage of the SimFit module of Cadmould 3D-F, experimental results were used to determine the coefficients of thermodynamic equation of state for the tested biocomposite according to the Renner model. The coefficients were then used to calculate transition temperature and to create diagrams illustrating the relationship between pressure, temperature and specific volume for the tested biocomposite. The obtained results can serve as a basis for assessing the suitability of the biocomposite for injection molding, selecting technological parameters of this process, as well as for analyzing shrinkage and defects of injection-molded parts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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20 pages, 4104 KiB  
Article
Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4@PMMA Nanoparticles Promotes Preosteoblast Differentiation through Activation of OPN-BGLAP2-DMP1 Axis and Modulates Osteoclastogenesis under Magnetic Field Conditions
by Krzysztof Marycz, Eliza Turlej, Katarzyna Kornicka-Garbowska, Emilia Zachanowicz, Anna Tomaszewska, Magdalena Kulpa-Greszta and Robert Pązik
Materials 2021, 14(17), 5010; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14175010 - 02 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2029
Abstract
The prevalence of osteoporosis in recent years is rapidly increasing. For this reason, there is an urgent need to develop bone substitutes and composites able to enhance the regeneration of damaged tissues which meet the patients’ needs. In the case of osteoporosis, personalized, [...] Read more.
The prevalence of osteoporosis in recent years is rapidly increasing. For this reason, there is an urgent need to develop bone substitutes and composites able to enhance the regeneration of damaged tissues which meet the patients’ needs. In the case of osteoporosis, personalized, tailored materials should enhance the impaired healing process and restore the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast activity. In this study, we fabricated a novel hybrid material (Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4@PMMA) and investigated its properties and potential utility in the treatment of osteoporosis. The material structure was investigated with X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance, FTIR-ATR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and selected area (electron) diffraction (SAED). Then, the biological properties of the material were investigated with pre-osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) and pre-osteoclasts (4B12) and in the presence or absence of magnetic field, using RT-qPCR and RT-PCR. During the studies, we established that the impact of the new hybrids on the pre-osteoblasts and pre-osteoclasts could be modified by the presence of the magnetic field, which could influence on the PMMA covered by magnetic nanoparticles impact on the expression of genes related to the apoptosis, cells differentiation, adhesion, microRNAs or regulating the inflammatory processes in both murine cell lines. In summary, the Co0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4@PMMA hybrid may represent a novel approach for material optimization and may be a way forward in the fabrication of scaffolds with enhanced bioactivity that benefits osteoporotic patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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16 pages, 26277 KiB  
Article
Modification and Properties of Cellulose Nonwoven Fabric—Multifunctional Mulching Material for Agricultural Applications
by Tobiasz Gabryś, Beata Fryczkowska, Joanna Grzybowska-Pietras and Dorota Biniaś
Materials 2021, 14(15), 4335; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14154335 - 03 Aug 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2691
Abstract
The paper describes a method of modifying a commercial viscose nonwoven fabric and its use as a modern mulching material in agriculture. The conducted research confirmed that the proposed modification of the viscose nonwoven fabric could be successfully used as a multipurpose and, [...] Read more.
The paper describes a method of modifying a commercial viscose nonwoven fabric and its use as a modern mulching material in agriculture. The conducted research confirmed that the proposed modification of the viscose nonwoven fabric could be successfully used as a multipurpose and, above all, completely biodegradable nonwoven crop cover, which will eliminate the problem of disposal after the harvest period. Modified cellulose nonwoven fabric was obtained by staining with NB—BT helion brown, then padding with potassium nitrate (KNO3) solution (used as a fertilizer) and finally coating with polylactide (PLA) solution. The characterisation of the nonwoven fabric included structural analysis, physicochemical properties and mechanical tests. The modified cellulose nonwovens were used in the tunnel cultivation of tomatoes as a heat-retardant, water-absorbing, antiweed mulching material that prevents soil infestation and slowly releases fertilizers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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13 pages, 2029 KiB  
Article
Silver Decorated βTCP-Poly(3hydroxybutyrate) Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
by Joanna Czechowska, Szymon Skibiński, Maciej Guzik and Aneta Zima
Materials 2021, 14(15), 4227; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14154227 - 28 Jul 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2248
Abstract
Implantations in orthopedics are associated with a high risk of bacterial infections in the surgery area. Therefore, biomaterials containing antibacterial agents, such as antibiotics, bactericidal ions or nanoparticles have been intensively investigated. In this work, silver decorated β tricalcium phosphate (βTCP)-based porous scaffolds [...] Read more.
Implantations in orthopedics are associated with a high risk of bacterial infections in the surgery area. Therefore, biomaterials containing antibacterial agents, such as antibiotics, bactericidal ions or nanoparticles have been intensively investigated. In this work, silver decorated β tricalcium phosphate (βTCP)-based porous scaffolds were obtained and coated with a biopolymer—poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-P(3HB). To the best of our knowledge, studies using silver-doped βTCP and P(3HB), as a component in ceramic-polymer scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration, have not yet been reported. Obtained materials were investigated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, hydrostatic weighing, compression tests and ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) measurements. The influence of sintering temperature (1150, 1200 °C) on the scaffolds’ physicochemical properties (phase and chemical composition, microstructure, porosity, compressive strength) was evaluated. Materials covered with P(3HB) possessed higher compressive strength (3.8 ± 0.6 MPa) and surgical maneuverability, sufficient to withstand the implantation procedures. Furthermore, during the hydrolytic degradation of the composite material not only pure (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid but also its oligomers were released which may nourish surrounding tissues. Thus, obtained scaffolds were found to be promising bone substitutes for use in non-load bearing applications Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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14 pages, 3438 KiB  
Article
Effect of Secondary Carbon Nanofillers on the Electrical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Conductive Hybrid Composites Based on Epoxy Resin and Graphite
by Marcel Zambrzycki, Krystian Sokolowski, Maciej Gubernat and Aneta Fraczek-Szczypta
Materials 2021, 14(15), 4169; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14154169 - 27 Jul 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1922
Abstract
In this work, we present a comparative study of the impact of secondary carbon nanofillers on the electrical and thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of hybrid conductive polymer composites (CPC) based on high loadings of synthetic graphite and epoxy resin. Two [...] Read more.
In this work, we present a comparative study of the impact of secondary carbon nanofillers on the electrical and thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of hybrid conductive polymer composites (CPC) based on high loadings of synthetic graphite and epoxy resin. Two different carbon nanofillers were chosen for the investigation—low-cost multi-layered graphene nanoplatelets (GN) and carbon black (CB), which were aimed at improving the overall performance of composites. The samples were obtained by a simple, inexpensive, and effective compression molding technique, and were investigated by the means of, i.a., scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, electrical conductivity measurements, laser flash analysis, and thermogravimetry. The tests performed revealed that, due to the exceptional electronic transport properties of GN, its relatively low specific surface area, good aspect ratio, and nanometric sizes of particles, a notable improvement in the overall characteristics of the composites (best results for 4 wt % of GN; σ = 266.7 S cm−1; λ = 40.6 W mK−1; fl. strength = 40.1 MPa). In turn, the addition of CB resulted in a limited improvement in mechanical properties, and a deterioration in electrical and thermal properties, mainly due to the too high specific surface area of this nanofiller. The results obtained were compared with US Department of Energy recommendations regarding properties of materials for bipolar plates in fuel cells. As shown, the materials developed significantly exceed the recommended values of the majority of the most important parameters, indicating high potential application of the composites obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Process, Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Polymer and Composite Materials)
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