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Advances in Polymer/Graphene Composites and Nanocomposites

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2024 | Viewed by 6885

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hongsheng Yang

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Guest Editor

Key Laboratory of Rubber-Plastics, Ministry of Education/ Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Rubber-plastics, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
Interests: aerogel; graphene; polymer nanocomposites; aramid fiber; rubber latex

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Graphene has many unique advantages, including excellent mechanical properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity, huge specific surface area, and various derivatives and processing methods, so that it can be used as a filler to form polymer/graphene composites or nanocomposites, which can improve the mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, or electromagnetic shielding properties of a polymer matrix. With development of more than ten years, researchers have made fruitful achievements in the field of traditional polymer/graphene composites and nanocomposites. Many synthesis and preparation methods have been developed in this aera. The relationships between different structures and properties of composites have been illustrated. Different interfacial interactions have been applied to enhance the combination between graphene fillers and the polymer matrix. They have shown a wide range of application possibilities in many fields.

In this Special Issue, “Advances in Polymer/Graphene Composites and Nanocomposites”, we focus on new forms of graphene/polymer composites and nanocomposites, such as aerogels, hydrogels, fibres, colloid, emulsion, powders, and nanomembranes; novel polymer matrices, including fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, PPTA, cellulose, chitin, polyimide, and polylactic acid; novel structures, synthesis methods, and interface interactions; and applications, including medical, electronics, sensing, actuators, protection, environment, and energy. Here, graphene is not just a nanofiller, but a potential major component or the main body of the material.

Of course, manuscripts about traditional polymer/graphene composites and nanocomposites are also encouraged for submission. We welcome all manuscripts involving graphene/polymer composites and nanocomposites in this Special Issue. We accept all forms of manuscripts, including Research Articles, Communications, Reviews, and Perspectives.

Dr. Hongsheng Yang
Guest Editor

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. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

graphene and graphene oxide
polymer composite and nanocomposite
aerogel
hydrogel
functional
high strength
lightweight
energy
environment
health

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5670 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insight into the Role of Conductive Polypyrrole Coated on Rice Husk-Derived Nanosilica-Reduced Graphene Oxide as the Anodes: Electrochemical Improvement in Sustainable Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Natthakan Ratsameetammajak, Thanapat Autthawong, Kittiched Khunpakdee, Mitsutaka Haruta, Torranin Chairuangsri and Thapanee Sarakonsri

Polymers 2023, 15(24), 4638; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15244638 - 7 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 922

Abstract

Polypyrrole (PPy) is a type of conducting polymer that has garnered attention as a potential electrode material for sustainable energy storage devices. This is mostly attributed to its mechanical flexibility, ease of processing, and ecologically friendly nature. Here, a polypyrrole-coated rice husk-derived nanosilica-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (SiO₂-rGO@PPy) as an anode material was developed by a simple composite technique followed by an in situ polymerization process. The architecture of reduced graphene oxide offers a larger electrode/electrolyte interface to promote charge-transfer reactions and provides sufficient space to buffer a large volume expansion of SiO₂, maintaining the mechanical integrity of the overall electrode during the lithiation/delithiation process. Moreover, the conducting polymer coating not only improves the capacity of SiO₂, but also suppresses the volume expansion and rapid capacity fading caused by serious pulverization. The present anode material shows a remarkable specific reversible capacity of 523 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ current density and exhibits exceptional discharge rate capability. The cycling stability at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹ shows 81.6% capacity retention and high Coulombic efficiency after 250 charge–discharge cycles. The study also pointed out that this method might be able to be used on a large scale in the lithium-ion battery industry, which could have a big effect on its long-term viability. Creating sustainable nanocomposites is an exciting area of research that could help solve some of the biggest problems with lithium-ion batteries, like how easy they are to make and how big they can be used in industry. This is because they are sustainable and have less of an impact on the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer/Graphene Composites and Nanocomposites)

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15 pages, 4339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of the Graphene Quantum Dot Content on the Thermal, Dynamic-Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Epoxy Resin

by Bárbara Schneider, Heitor Luiz Ornaghi Jr., Francisco Maciel Monticeli and Daiane Romanzini

Polymers 2023, 15(23), 4531; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15234531 - 25 Nov 2023

Viewed by 763

Abstract

Different amounts of graphene quantum dots (CQDs) (0, 1, 2.5, and 5 wt%) were incorporated into an epoxy matrix. The thermal conductivity, density, morphology, and dynamic mechanical thermal (DMTA) properties were reused from the study of Seibert et al.. The Pearson plot showed a high correlation between mass loading, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity. A poorer correlation with density and heat capacity was observed. At lower CQD concentrations (0.1 wt%), the fracture surface showed to be more heterogeneous, while at higher amounts (2.5 and 5 wt%), a more homogeneous surface was observed. The storage modulus values did not change with the CQD amount. But the extension of the glassy plateau increased with higher CQD contents, with an increase of ~40 °C for the 5 wt% compared to the 2.5 wt% and almost twice compared to the neat epoxy. This result is attributed to the intrinsic characteristics of the filler. Additionally, lower energy dissipation and a higher glass transition temperature were observed with the CQD amount. The novelty and importance are related to the fact that for more rigid matrices (corroborated with the literature), the mechanical properties did not change, because the polymer bridging mechanism was not present, in spite of the excellent CQD dispersion as well as the filler amount. On the other hand, thermal conductivity is directly related to particle size and dispersion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer/Graphene Composites and Nanocomposites)

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20 pages, 10708 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Correlation of the Role of Synthesized Biochar on Thermal, Morphological, and Crystalline Properties of Coagulation Processed Poly(1,4-phenylene sulfide) Nanocomposites

by Zaib Un Nisa, Lee Kean Chuan, Beh Hoe Guan, Faiz Ahmad and Saba Ayub

Polymers 2023, 15(8), 1851; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15081851 - 12 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1202

Abstract

This work aimed to study the thermal and crystalline properties of poly (1,4-phenylene sulfide)@carbon char nanocomposites. Coagulation-processed nanocomposites of polyphenylene sulfide were prepared using the synthesized mesoporous nanocarbon of coconut shells as reinforcement. The mesoporous reinforcement was synthesized using a facile carbonization method. The investigation of the properties of nanocarbon was completed using SAP, XRD, and FESEM analysis. The research was further propagated via the synthesis of nanocomposites through the addition of characterized nanofiller into poly (1,4-phenylene sulfide) at five different combinations. The coagulation method was utilized for the nanocomposite formation. The obtained nanocomposite was analyzed using FTIR, TGA, DSC, and FESEM analysis. The BET surface area and average pore volume of the bio-carbon prepared from coconut shell residue were calculated to be 1517 m²/g and 2.51 nm, respectively. The addition of nanocarbon to poly (1,4-phenylene sulfide) led to an increase in thermal stability and crystallinity up to 6% loading of the filler. The lowest glass transition temperature was achieved at 6% doping of the filler into the polymer matrix. It was established that the thermal, morphological, and crystalline properties were tailored by synthesizing their nanocomposites with the mesoporous bio-nanocarbon obtained from coconut shells. There is a decline in the glass transition temperature from 126 °C to 117 °C using 6% filler. The measured crystallinity was decreased continuously, with the mixing of the filler exhibiting the incorporation of flexibility in the polymer. So, the loading of the filler into poly (1,4-phenylene sulfide) can be optimized to enhance its thermoplastic properties for surface applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer/Graphene Composites and Nanocomposites)

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Review

Jump to: Research

26 pages, 11294 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Graphene-Based Materials/Polymer Composite Aerogels

by Ze Wang, Libao Liu, Yiwei Zhang, Yi Huang, Jia Liu, Xu Zhang, Xu Liu, Huaibao Teng, Xiaofang Zhang, Jianming Zhang and Hongsheng Yang

Polymers 2023, 15(8), 1888; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15081888 - 14 Apr 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3387

Abstract

The fabrication of composite materials is an effective way to improve the performance of a single material and expand its application range. In recent years, graphene-based materials/polymer composite aerogels have become a hot research field for preparing high-performance composites due to their special synergistic effects in mechanical and functional properties. In this paper, the preparation methods, structures, interactions, properties, and applications of graphene-based materials/polymer composite aerogels are discussed, and their development trend is projected. This paper aims to arouse extensive research interests in multidisciplinary fields and provide guidance for the rational design of advanced aerogel materials, which could then encourage efforts to use these new kinds of advanced materials in basic research and commercial applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer/Graphene Composites and Nanocomposites)

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