Submit to Polymers Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

Graphene-Based Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2023) | Viewed by 11968

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. M. Gabriella Santonicola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Chemical Materials and Environmental Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 7, 00161 Rome, Italy
Interests: functional polymers and composites; stimuli-responsive polymers; carbon-based nanomaterials; graphene-based nanocomposites; materials for biomedical applications; biosensors and biointerfaces

Special Issue Information

Dear Collegues,

The integration of graphene with its unique electronic structure into polymer architectures has enabled generation of novel materials and surfaces with enhanced performance in various fields of application. The excellent properties of ultrathin graphene, from large thermal conductivity to exceptional mechanical strength and electrochemical properties, combined with its high specific surface area allow to provide potential solutions for many technological challenges.

This Special Issue on “Graphene-Based Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications” aims to highlight recent studies on the use of graphene to enhance the functional and mechanical properties of polymers for various fields of application (biomedical and biotechnology, electronics and optics, chemical sensing, lightweight space components) in which these integrated materials offer distinct advantages over conventional polymers. For an optimal exploitation of graphene unique properties, physico-chemical and biological modifications of the carbon surface are often sought after to control, at different length scales, the interactions at the interface with the polymer. Surface modifications of the graphene nanosheets may include non-covalent approaches, chemical grafting, immobilization of biomolecules or organic/inorganic nanoparticles, thermal treatments. The ability to prepare graphene dispersions in suitable media to facilitate their combination with the macromolecules is also relevant to create homogeneous multifunctional materials.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include graphene-based multifunctional polymers and nanocomposites for chemical, biomedical and environmental applications, graphene/polymer hydrogels and aerogels, graphene-based sensors for monitoring of structural integrity and human health, nano-engineered lightweight polymer materials and structures for aerospace applications. Original research articles addressing both experimental and theoretical aspects, and reviews describing the current state-of-the-art are welcome.

Prof. Dr. M. Gabriella Santonicola
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

Graphene
Nanocomposites
Polymer synthesis
Films and coatings
Surface modification
Processes and fabrication
Mechanical and functional properties
Characterization methods

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

14 pages, 3603 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation of Fabricated Graphene Nanoplates/Polystyrene Nanofibrous Membrane for DCMD

by Ahmad Abdullah, Abdulaziz Al-Qahatani, Mohammed Alquraish, Colin Baily, Salah El-Mofty and Ahmed El-Shazly

Polymers 2021, 13(20), 3499; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13203499 - 12 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1534

Abstract

In recent decades, the fabrication of composite membranes using nanoparticles has played a vital role in membrane distillation (MD) technique. It could make available membranes with superior characteristics as excellent candidates for MD technique. The most well-known obstacles regarding the MD method are the low productivity and high cost. Thus, fabricating membranes with superior properties is a significant challenge. In the current study, a composite membrane has been fabricated using 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 weight percent (wt.%) of graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) with polystyrene (PS) as a base polymer and characterized using SEM, FTIR, and contact angle. The characterization results prove the successful fabrication using electrospinning and the validity of the fabricated membranes to be applied to direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). In addition, a DCMD experimental setup has been designed to examine the performance of the fabricated membranes and compare the performance of blank PS with composite PS/GNPs membranes. The results show that all fabricated membranes produced an approximately similar average flux of about 10 kg/m² h, while the highest GNPs wt.% showed the highest salt rejection. Accordingly, this composite membrane has been examined at different operating parameters and showed stable performance. Moreover, feed temperature and the rate of flow have a positive impact on the overall performance of the DCMD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene-Based Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 4833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling and Simulation of Fabricated Graphene Nanoplates/Polystyrene Nanofibrous Membrane for DCMD

by Ahmad Abdullah, Abdulaziz Al-Qahatani, Mohammed Alquraish, Colin Bailey, Ahmed El-Shazly and Salah El-Mofty

Polymers 2021, 13(17), 2987; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13172987 - 03 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1743

Abstract

Membrane distillation is an active technique that provides pure water with very good rejection and could be applied to water of extremely high salinity. The low productivity of membrane distillation needs intensive efforts to be competitive with other desalination techniques. In this current study, a composite (PS/GNP) membrane, which is composed of polystyrene (PS) based and 0.25% weight percent graphene nanoplates (GNP) has been fabricated via electrospinning and compared with the blank PS membrane. SEM, FTIR, contact angle and porosity characterization have been performed, and the results show that the validity of the predefined conditions, and the contact angle of the composite membrane, which is found to be 91.68°, proved the hydrophobic nature of the composite membrane. A numerical simulation using Ansys 2020 software has been introduced to study the performance of the fabricated composite membrane when used in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). The numerical model has been validated with experimental work from the literature and showed an excellent match. The blank PS and composite PS/GNP membranes have been investigated and compared at different operating conditions, i.e., hot water supply temperature and system flow rate. The results show that the composite PS/GNP membrane outperforms the blank PS membrane at all studied operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene-Based Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4611 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Understanding the Reinforcement of Graphene in Poly(Ether Ether Ketone)/Carbon Fibre Laminates

by Araceli Flores, Susana Quiles-Díaz, Patricia Enrique-Jimenez, Aránzazu Martínez-Gómez, Marián A. Gómez-Fatou and Horacio J. Salavagione

Polymers 2021, 13(15), 2440; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13152440 - 24 Jul 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1962

Abstract

PEEK appears as an excellent candidate to substitute epoxy resins in carbon fibre laminates for high-performance aeronautical applications. The optimization of the properties and, in particular, of the transition region between the fibres and the matrix appear as a major issue prior to serial production. Graphene, modified with two compatibilizers, has been incorporated in the polymer layer with the purpose of imparting additional functionalities and enhancing the matrix-fibre interaction. It is found that both carbon fibres and modified graphene significantly influence the crystallization behaviour and smaller, and/or more imperfect crystals appear while the degree of crystallinity decreases. Despite this, nanoindentation studies show that the PEEK layer exhibits significant modulus improvements (≈30%) for 5 wt.% of graphene. Most importantly, the study of the local mechanical properties by nanoindentation mapping allows the identification of remarkably high modulus values close to the carbon fibre front. Such a relevant mechanical enhancement can be associated with the accumulation of graphene platelets at the polymer–fibre boundary, as revealed by electron microscopy studies. The results offer a feasible route for interlaminar mechanical improvement based on the higher density of graphene platelets at the fibre front that should promote interfacial interactions. Concerning electrical conductivity, a large anisotropy was found for all laminates, and values in the range ~10⁻⁴ S/cm were found for the through-thickness arrangement as a consequence of the good consolidation of the laminates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene-Based Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 6753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation and Modeling of the Electrical Conductivity of Graphene Nanoplatelets-Loaded Doped-Polypyrrole

by Oladipo Folorunso, Yskandar Hamam, Rotimi Sadiku, Suprakas Sinha Ray and Neeraj Kumar

Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1034; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13071034 - 26 Mar 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2132

Abstract

In this study, a hybrid of graphene nanoplatelets with a polypyrrole having 20 wt.% loading of carbon-black (

HGPPy . {CB}_{20 %}

), has been fabricated. The thermal stability, structural changes, morphology, and the electrical conductivity of the hybrids were investigated using [...] Read more.

In this study, a hybrid of graphene nanoplatelets with a polypyrrole having 20 wt.% loading of carbon-black (

HGPPy . {CB}_{20 %}

), has been fabricated. The thermal stability, structural changes, morphology, and the electrical conductivity of the hybrids were investigated using thermogravimetric analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction analyzer, scanning electron microscope, and laboratory electrical conductivity device. The morphology of the hybrid shows well dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets on the surface of the

PPy . {CB}_{20 %}

and the transformation of the gravel-like

PPy . {CB}_{20 %}

shape to compact spherical shape. Moreover, the hybrid’s electrical conductivity measurements showed percolation threshold at 0.15 wt.% of the graphene nanoplatelets content and the curve is non-linear. The electrical conductivity data were analyzed by comparing different existing models (Weber, Clingerman and Taherian). The results show that Taherian and Clingerman models, which consider the aspect ratio, roundness, wettability, filler electrical conductivity, surface interaction, and volume fractions, closely described the experimental data. From these results, it is evident that Taherian and Clingerman models can be modified for better prediction of the hybrids electrical conductivity measurements. In addition, this study shows that graphene nanoplatelets are essential and have a significant influence on the modification of

PPy . {CB}_{20 %}

for energy storage applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene-Based Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 5686 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Trends in Graphene/Polymer Nanocomposites for Sensing Devices: Synthesis and Applications in Environmental and Human Health Monitoring

by Elisa Toto, Susanna Laurenzi and Maria Gabriella Santonicola

Polymers 2022, 14(5), 1030; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14051030 - 04 Mar 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3423

Abstract

Graphene-based nanocomposites are largely explored for the development of sensing devices due to the excellent electrical and mechanical properties of graphene. These properties, in addition to its large specific surface area, make graphene attractive for a wide range of chemical functionalization and immobilization of (bio)molecules. Several techniques based on both top-down and bottom-up approaches are available for the fabrication of graphene fillers in pristine and functionalized forms. These fillers can be further modified to enhance their integration with polymeric matrices and substrates and to tailor the sensing efficiency of the overall nanocomposite material. In this review article, we summarize recent trends in the design and fabrication of graphene/polymer nanocomposites (GPNs) with sensing properties that can be successfully applied in environmental and human health monitoring. Functional GPNs with sensing ability towards gas molecules, humidity, and ultraviolet radiation can be generated using graphene nanosheets decorated with metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles. These nanocomposites were shown to be effective in the detection of ammonia, benzene/toluene gases, and water vapor in the environment. In addition, biological analytes with broad implications for human health, such as nucleic bases or viral genes, can also be detected using sensitive, graphene-based polymer nanocomposites. Here, the role of the biomolecules that are immobilized on the graphene nanomaterial as target for sensing is reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene-Based Polymers: From Synthesis to Applications)

► Show Figures