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Facile preparation of polyamide 6/exfoliated graphite nanoplate composites via ultrasound‐assisted processing
Author(s) -
Yang Yaqi,
Zhao Mingjuan,
Xia Zhaolu,
Duan Hongji,
Zhao Guizhe,
Liu Yaqing
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.24773
Subject(s) - materials science , exfoliation joint , graphite , nanocomposite , extrusion , composite material , sonication , polyamide , ultimate tensile strength , heat deflection temperature , flexural strength , polymer , izod impact strength test , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , graphene , engineering
In this work, we report a facile strategy to prepare polyamide 6/exfoliated graphite nanoplate (PA6/xGNP) nanocomposites by in situ exfoliation of expanded graphite (EG) via ultrasound‐assisted extrusion. The EG was preliminarily exfoliated by ultrasonication, and then blended with PA6 and further exfoliated into graphite nanoplates during the ultrasound‐assisted extrusion process. Compared with chemical exfoliation of EG, ultrasonic exfoliation minimized defects in the carbon layers. Meanwhile, the in situ exfoliation of EG via ultrasound‐assisted extrusion prevented the reagglomeration of xGNPs in the melt blending process. The well‐dispersed xGNP structure significantly improved the mechanical performance of PA6 composites; with an xGNP loading of only 0.5 wt%, the tensile and flexural strengths of the PA6 nanocomposite increased from 65.4 and 67.8 MPa to 90.5 and 91.2 MPa, respectively. The heat deflection temperature also greatly improved from 76.5°C to 115.4°C by adding 1 wt% xGNPs. These results demonstrate a promising approach for large‐scale fabrication of high‐performance polymer/xGNP nanocomposites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1739–1745, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers