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C
Special Issues
Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Processing, Characterization and Applications
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Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Processing, Characterization and Applications

A special issue of C (ISSN 2311-5629). This special issue belongs to the section "Carbon Materials and Carbon Allotropes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2025 | Viewed by 7088

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chi-Hui Tsou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
Interests: carbon-based polymer composites; biodegradable materials; biomass materials; recycling of resources; functional polymer nanocomposites; membrane; plasma surface modification; natural additives; biological resource regeneration and application; 3D printing materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Patrizia Savi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (DET), Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: global navigation satellite system reflectometry; carbon nanotubes–polymer composites; carbon-based materials for electromagnetic shielding; thin films
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the latest developments in carbon-based polymer composites, a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of materials science and engineering. We aim to cover a broad range of topics related to the synthesis, processing, and characterization of these composites, as well as their diverse applications. This Special Issue will bring together original research articles and reviews highlighting advances in carbon-based materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon fibers, and their integration into polymer matrices. We seek contributions that explore innovative methods for synthesizing these composites, novel processing techniques to enhance their properties, detailed characterization to understand their structure–property relationships, and their applications in various fields such as electronics, aerospace, automotives, and environmental technology.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, and scientists to share their findings, discuss challenges, and present future directions in the field of carbon-based polymer composites.

Prof. Dr. Chi-Hui Tsou
Prof. Patrizia Savi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. C is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • carbon-based composites
  • polymer matrix composites
  • graphene composites
  • carbon nanotubes
  • carbon fiber-reinforced polymers
  • composite synthesis
  • material characterization
  • composite processing techniques
  • structural applications
  • environmental applications
  • aerospace materials
  • automotive composites
  • electronic materials

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4255 KiB  
Article
Emission Ellipsometry Study in Polymeric Interfaces Based on Poly(3-Hexylthiophene), [6,6]-Phenyl-C61-Butyric Acid Methyl Ester, and Reduced Graphene Oxide
by Ana Clarissa Henrique Kolbow, Everton Crestani Rambo, Maria Ruth Neponucena dos Santos, Paulo Ernesto Marchezi, Ana Flávia Nogueira, Alexandre Marletta, Romildo Jerônimo Ramos and Eralci Moreira Therézio
C 2024, 10(3), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/c10030083 - 11 Sep 2024
Viewed by 704
Abstract
We analyzed the interaction of three materials, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and poly(3-hexylthiphene) (P3HT), as well as the dependence of its photophysical properties within the temperature range of 90 to 300 K. The nanocomposite of the [...] Read more.
We analyzed the interaction of three materials, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and poly(3-hexylthiphene) (P3HT), as well as the dependence of its photophysical properties within the temperature range of 90 to 300 K. The nanocomposite of the films was analyzed by optical absorption ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) and emission ellipsometry (EE) as a function of sample temperature. The surface morphology was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We noted that onset levels (Eonset) of the nanocomposite of P3HT and RGO are smaller than the others. The PL spectra showed the presence of anomalies in the emission intensities in the nanocomposite of P3HT and PCBM. It was also possible to determine the electron–phonon coupling by calculating the Huang–Rhys parameters and the temperature dependence of samples. Through EE, it was possible to analyze the degree of polarization and the anisotropy. We observed a high degree of polarized emission of the P3HT films, which varies subtly according to the temperature. For nanocomposites with RGO, the polarization degree in the emission decreases, and the roughness on the surface increases. As a result, the RGO improves the energy transfer between adjacent polymer chains at the cost of greater surface roughness. Then, the greater energy transfer may favor applications of this type of nanocomposite in organic photovoltaic cells (OPVCs) with enhancement in energy conversion efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Processing, Characterization and Applications)
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20 pages, 4937 KiB  
Article
Miscanthus-Derived Biochar as a Platform for the Production of Fillers for the Improvement of Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Epoxy Composites
by Salvatore Scavuzzo, Silvia Zecchi, Giovanni Cristoforo, Carlo Rosso, Daniele Torsello, Gianluca Ghigo, Luca Lavagna, Mauro Giorcelli, Alberto Tagliaferro, Marco Etzi and Mattia Bartoli
C 2024, 10(3), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/c10030081 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 719
Abstract
The production of multipurpose sustainable fillers is a matter of great interest, and biochar can play a pivotal role. Biochar is a biomass-derived carbon source that can act as a versatile platform for the engineering of fillers as neat or functionalized materials. In [...] Read more.
The production of multipurpose sustainable fillers is a matter of great interest, and biochar can play a pivotal role. Biochar is a biomass-derived carbon source that can act as a versatile platform for the engineering of fillers as neat or functionalized materials. In this work, we investigate the utilization of 800 °C annealed Miscanthus-derived biochar as a filler for the production of epoxy composites with promising mechanical and electrical properties. We also used it in the production of an iron-rich hybrid filler in order to fine-tune the surface and bulk properties. Our main findings reveal that hybrid composites containing 20 wt.% biochar exhibit a 27% increase in Young’s modulus (YM), reaching 1.4 ± 0.1 GPa, while the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) peaks at 30.3 ± 1.8 Mpa with 10 wt.% filler, a 27% improvement over pure epoxy. However, higher filler loadings (20 wt.%) result in decreased UTS and maximum elongation. The optimal toughness of 0.58 ± 0.14 MJ/m³ is observed at 5 wt.% filler content. For organic composites, YM sees a notable increase of 90%, reaching 2.1 ± 0.1 Gpa at 20 wt.%, and UTS improves by 32% with the same filler content. Flexural tests indicate an enhanced elastic modulus but reduced maximum elongation as filler content rises. Electromagnetic evaluations show that hybrid fillers maintain a primarily dielectric behavior with a negligible impact on permittivity, while biochar–epoxy composites exhibit increased conductivity at higher filler loadings, suitable for high-frequency applications. In light of these results, biochar-based fillers demonstrate significant potential for enhancing the mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Processing, Characterization and Applications)
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12 pages, 9147 KiB  
Article
Impact of Dispersion Methods on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube (CNT)/Iron Oxide (Fe3O4)/Epoxy Composites
by Zulfiqar Ali, Saba Yaqoob and Alberto D’Amore
C 2024, 10(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/c10030066 - 27 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 802
Abstract
Integrating nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) into epoxy composites has attracted significant interest due to their potential to enhance mechanical properties. This study evaluates the impact of dispersion quality on the mechanical performance of CNT/Fe [...] Read more.
Integrating nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) into epoxy composites has attracted significant interest due to their potential to enhance mechanical properties. This study evaluates the impact of dispersion quality on the mechanical performance of CNT/Fe3O4/epoxy composites, comparing stirring and sonication methods at three different loadings: 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.%. Tensile testing revealed that sonicated composites consistently outperformed stirred composites, with a significant increase in the elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). However, fracture strain decreased in both composite types compared to pure epoxy, with sonicated composites experiencing a more significant reduction than stirred composites. These results underscore the importance of high-quality dispersion for optimizing mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Processing, Characterization and Applications)
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17 pages, 5304 KiB  
Article
A Coordination Polymer Based on Nickel(II)–Cyamelurate: A Robust Catalyst with Highly Dispersed Nickel Sites for Nitrophenol Reduction under Ambient Conditions
by Taís dos Santos da Cruz, Walker Vinícius Ferreira do Carmo Batista, Eduarda Ferreira de Oliveira, Wanessa Lima de Oliveira, Dilton Martins Pimentel, Gabriel Ali Atta Diab, Ivo Freitas Teixeira, Marcio César Pereira and João Paulo de Mesquita
C 2024, 10(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/c10010027 - 17 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1749
Abstract
Cyamelurate anions obtained from the hydrolysis of polymeric graphitic carbon nitride were used for the preparation of a water-stable and crystalline coordination polymer based on nickel(II)–cyamelurate. The polymer was prepared and applied as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in [...] Read more.
Cyamelurate anions obtained from the hydrolysis of polymeric graphitic carbon nitride were used for the preparation of a water-stable and crystalline coordination polymer based on nickel(II)–cyamelurate. The polymer was prepared and applied as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of borohydride under ambient conditions. The catalyst was prepared by a simple and environmentally friendly method in an aqueous medium, and it was completely characterized by a variety of techniques, including FTIR, UV–Vis, XRD, TGA, TEM, and STEM. The obtained catalyst was able to catalyze the reaction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol with a good kinetic constant. In addition, the catalyst proved to be significantly robust, maintaining a conversion rate greater than 80% after five minutes of reaction for eight consecutive catalytic cycles. In addition, the catalytic activity of the coordination polymer was much higher than that observed for a homogeneous catalyst based on aqueous Ni2+ ions, suggesting the importance of the structure of the coordination sphere formed by the cyamelurate anions. The results presented here can contribute to the application of other coordination polymers anchored with cyamelurate-like ligands and derivatives, as well as to new catalyst designs based on this coordination site formed by oxygen and nitrogen donor atoms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Processing, Characterization and Applications)
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Review

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35 pages, 11977 KiB  
Review
Fused Deposition Modelling of Thermoplastic Polymer Nanocomposites: A Critical Review
by Taha Sheikh and Kamran Behdinan
C 2024, 10(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/c10020029 - 25 Mar 2024
Viewed by 2113
Abstract
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) has attracted researchers’ interest in myriads of applications. The enhancement of its part using fillers to print nanocomposites is a cutting-edge domain of research. Industrial acceptance is still a challenge, and researchers are investigating different nanofillers and polymer matrix [...] Read more.
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) has attracted researchers’ interest in myriads of applications. The enhancement of its part using fillers to print nanocomposites is a cutting-edge domain of research. Industrial acceptance is still a challenge, and researchers are investigating different nanofillers and polymer matrix combinations to investigate FDM-printed nanocomposites. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and cellulose are heavily studied nanofillers because of their astonishing properties, biocompatibility, and ability to tailor the final performance of the FDM-printed nanocomposite part. This work presents a comprehensive review of polymer nanocomposites based on these nanofillers. Important examples, case studies, and results are discussed and compared to elaborate the understanding of the processing of nanocomposites, filaments, printing, and the characterisation of these nanocomposites. A detailed and exhaustive discussion of the prospective computational models, with challenges and a future road map, is provided, enabling the scientific community to understand these nanocomposites and their FDM processing for wider industrial applications and acceptance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Synthesis, Processing, Characterization and Applications)
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