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Graphene based room temperature flexible nanocomposites from permanently cross-linked networks

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journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-18, 06:57 authored by N Hameed, LF Dumée, FM Allioux, M Reghat, JS Church, Minoo NaebeMinoo Naebe, K Magniez, J Parameswaranpillai, BL Fox
Graphene based room temperature flexible nanocomposites were prepared using epoxy thermosets for the first time. Flexible behavior was induced into the epoxy thermosets by introducing charge transfer complexes between functional groups within cross linked epoxy and room temperature ionic liquid ions. The graphene nanoplatelets were found to be highly dispersed in the epoxy matrix due to ionic liquid cation-π interactions. It was observed that incorporation of small amounts of graphene into the epoxy matrix significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the epoxy. In particular, a 0.6 wt% addition increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus by 125% and 21% respectively. The electrical resistance of nanocomposites was found to be increased with graphene loading indicating the level of self-organization between the ILs and the graphene sheets in the matrix of the composite. The graphene nanocomposites were flexible and behave like ductile thermoplastics at room temperature. This study demonstrates the use of ionic liquid as a compatible agent to induce flexibility in inherently brittle thermoset materials and improve the dispersion of graphene to create high performance nanocomposite materials.

History

Journal

Scientific Reports

Volume

8

Article number

ARTN 2803

Pagination

1 - 8

Location

England

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

2045-2322

eISSN

2045-2322

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2018, The Author(s)

Issue

1

Publisher

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP