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Fabrication of Graphene Nanoplatelet/Epoxy Nanocomposites for Lightweight and High‐Strength Structural Applications
Author(s) -
Kim Joonhui,
Cha Jaemin,
Jun Gwang Hoon,
Yoo Sung Chan,
Ryu Seongwoo,
Hong Soon Hyung
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.201700412
Subject(s) - epoxy , materials science , nanocomposite , graphene , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , fabrication , polymer , surface modification , filler (materials) , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), the most important mass‐produced graphene, are fabricated as a mechanical reinforcement for epoxy matrix nanocomposites. Current performance of GNPs as a reinforcing filler is limited by their agglomeration and weak interfacial interaction with certain polymer matrices. Herein, an approach to produce noncovalently functionalized GNPs (F‐GNPs) is reported that can be extended to the industrial level of mass production. The one‐step functionalization process uses melamine, a low‐cost chemical, to improve the interfacial adhesion and dispersion in an epoxy matrix. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites prepared with the F‐GNP flakes are much better (94.3% and 35.3% enhancements in Young's modulus and tensile strength, respectively) than those of the unfilled pure epoxy. Experimental data are analyzed using the Halpin–Tsai model. The fabrication process developed in this paper provides a strategy to use GNPs at the industrial level in lightweight and high‐strength structural applications.