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Graphene nanoplatelets composite membranes for thermal comfort enhancement in performance textiles
Author(s) -
Bonetti Lorenzo,
Fiorati Andrea,
Serafini Andrea,
Masotti Guido,
Tana Francesca,
D'Agostino Agnese,
Draghi Lorenza,
Altomare Lina,
Chiesa Roberto,
Farè Silvia,
Bianchi Massimiliano,
Rizzi Laura Giorgia,
De Nardo Luigi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.49645
Subject(s) - materials science , membrane , composite material , composite number , graphene , nanocomposite , scanning electron microscope , crystallinity , thermal conductivity , dispersion (optics) , raman spectroscopy , nanotechnology , chemistry , optics , biochemistry , physics
The advent of 2D nanostructured materials as advanced fillers for polymer matrix composites has opened the doors to a plethora of new industrial applications requiring both electric and thermal management. Unique properties, in fact, can arise from accurate selection and processing of 2D fillers and their matrix. Here, we report an innovative family of nanocomposite membranes based on polyurethane (PU) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), designed to improve thermal comfort in functional textiles. GNP particles were thoroughly characterized (through Raman, atomic force microscopy, high‐resolution TEM, scanning electron microscope), and showed high crystallinity ( I D / I G = 0.127), low thickness (D50 < 6–8 layers), and high lateral dimensions (D50 ≈ 3 μm). When GNPs were loaded (up to 10% wt/wt) into the PU matrix, their homogeneous dispersion resulted in an increase of the in‐plane thermal conductivity of composite membranes up to 471%. The thermal dissipation of membranes, alone or coupled with cotton fabric, was further evaluated by means of an ad hoc system designed to simulate a human forearm. The results obtained provide a new strategy for the preparation of membranes suitable for technical textiles, with improved thermal comfort.