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In situ TPU/graphene nanocomposites: Correlation between filler aspect ratio and phase morphology
Author(s) -
Rohm Kristen,
Solouki Bonab Vahab,
ManasZloczower Ica
Publication year - 2021
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.25619
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , filler (materials) , thermoplastic polyurethane , graphite , graphene , nanocomposite , in situ polymerization , dispersion (optics) , glass transition , morphology (biology) , epoxy , polymer , polymerization , elastomer , nanotechnology , physics , biology , optics , genetics
An in situ polymerization method to prepare thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)/graphene and TPU/graphite composites have been studied to clarify the influence of intrinsic filler properties and dispersion level on the morphology and properties of the TPU. Two types of graphene, one high‐aspect ratio and one low, and graphite flake at various loadings were studied. Rotational rheology experiments on the suspensions of filler in polyol were used to characterize the agglomeration level of the filler after the dispersive mixing step and an effective aspect ratio reflective of the dispersion level was obtained. Variations in the glass transition temperature and thermal transitions of the TPU composites were related to the agglomeration level and intrinsic filler properties.