A Review on Graphene’s Light Stabilizing Effects for Reduced Photodegradation of Polymers

Karimi, Samira; Helal, Emna; Gutierrez, Giovanna; Moghimian, Nima; Madinehei, Milad; David, Eric; Samara, Mazen; Demarquette, Nicole

doi:10.3390/cryst11010003

Open AccessReview

A Review on Graphene’s Light Stabilizing Effects for Reduced Photodegradation of Polymers

by

Samira Karimi

¹,

Emna Helal

^2,*,

Giovanna Gutierrez

²,

Nima Moghimian

²,

Milad Madinehei

¹

,

Eric David

¹

,

Mazen Samara

¹ and

Nicole Demarquette

^1,*

¹

Mechanical Engineering Department, École de Technologie Supérieure, 1100 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada

²

NanoXplore Inc., 4500 Thimens Boulevard, Saint-Laurent, QC H4R 2P2, Canada

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Crystals 2021, 11(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11010003

Submission received: 10 November 2020 / Revised: 9 December 2020 / Accepted: 17 December 2020 / Published: 22 December 2020

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Graphene-Based Nanocomposites and Manufacturing)

Download

Browse Figures

Versions Notes

Abstract

Graphene, the newest member of the carbon’s family, has proven its efficiency in improving polymers’ resistance against photodegradation, even at low loadings equal to 1 wt% or lower. This protective role involves a multitude of complementary mechanisms associated with graphene’s unique geometry and chemistry. In this review, these mechanisms, taking place during both the initiation and propagation steps of photodegradation, are discussed concerning graphene and graphene derivatives, i.e., graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In particular, graphene displays important UV absorption, free radical scavenging, and quenching capabilities thanks to the abundant π-bonds and sp² carbon sites in its hexagonal lattice structure. The free radical scavenging effect is also partially linked with functional hydroxyl groups on the surface. However, the sp² sites remain the predominant player, which makes graphene’s antioxidant effect potentially stronger than rGO and GO. Besides, UV screening and oxygen barriers are active protective mechanisms attributed to graphene’s high surface area and 2D geometry. Moreover, the way that graphene, as a nucleating agent, can improve the photostability of polymers, have been explored as well. These include the potential effect of graphene on increasing polymer’s glass transition temperature and crystallinity.

Keywords: graphene; polymer photodegradation; photostabilization; UV absorption; UV screening; free radical scavenging; antioxidant; quenching effect; oxygen diffusion; polymer nanocomposites

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Karimi, S.; Helal, E.; Gutierrez, G.; Moghimian, N.; Madinehei, M.; David, E.; Samara, M.; Demarquette, N. A Review on Graphene’s Light Stabilizing Effects for Reduced Photodegradation of Polymers. Crystals 2021, 11, 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11010003

AMA Style

Karimi S, Helal E, Gutierrez G, Moghimian N, Madinehei M, David E, Samara M, Demarquette N. A Review on Graphene’s Light Stabilizing Effects for Reduced Photodegradation of Polymers. Crystals. 2021; 11(1):3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11010003

Chicago/Turabian Style

Karimi, Samira, Emna Helal, Giovanna Gutierrez, Nima Moghimian, Milad Madinehei, Eric David, Mazen Samara, and Nicole Demarquette. 2021. "A Review on Graphene’s Light Stabilizing Effects for Reduced Photodegradation of Polymers" Crystals 11, no. 1: 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11010003

APA Style

Karimi, S., Helal, E., Gutierrez, G., Moghimian, N., Madinehei, M., David, E., Samara, M., & Demarquette, N. (2021). A Review on Graphene’s Light Stabilizing Effects for Reduced Photodegradation of Polymers. Crystals, 11(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst11010003

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Menu

A Review on Graphene’s Light Stabilizing Effects for Reduced Photodegradation of Polymers

Abstract

Share and Cite

Article Metrics

Article Access Statistics

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI