Elongational flow mixing for manufacturing of graphite nanoplatelet/polystyrene composites

Manufacturing strategy is of prime importance for the appropriate incorporation of filler into a polymeric matrix, and this in particular refers to nanofillers. Herein, direct‐graphite nanoplatelets are used as filler in polystyrene. The as‐received filler material contained microscopic size agglome...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2013-06, Vol.128 (5), p.2679-2686
Main Authors: Oxfall, Henrik, Rondin, Jérôme, Bouquey, Michel, Muller, René, Rigdahl, Mikael, Rychwalski, Rodney W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Composites
Elongation
Exact sciences and technology
Fillers
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
fullerenes
grapheme
Graphene
Materials science
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
nanotubes
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Polymers
polystyrene
Polystyrene resins
rheology
Solvents
Technology of polymers
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Summary:Manufacturing strategy is of prime importance for the appropriate incorporation of filler into a polymeric matrix, and this in particular refers to nanofillers. Herein, direct‐graphite nanoplatelets are used as filler in polystyrene. The as‐received filler material contained microscopic size agglomerates formed by nanoscopic size graphite nanoplatelets. Refining of the microagglomerates (break‐up) and production of, desirably, single graphene layers (exfoliation) is the ultimate target for controlling production and thus properties of the present materials. Several processing methods including microcompounding, roll‐milling/calendering, Brabender mixing chamber, and solvent processing are used and compared with elongational flow mixing by a newly developed mixer. For the present system, sonication with surfactant assistance solvent processing yields both good micro deagglomeration and production of thin graphene nanostacks/layers. Also the elongational flow mixing efficiently refines the microagglomerates. Solvent processing and microcompounding are more efficient than the other processes in the production of exfoliated thin graphene stacks/layers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.38439