Preparation and property of epoxy composites reinforced by three-dimensional graphene-pyrrole aerogel

Abstract

Lightweight and cellular-structured graphene-pyrrole (G-P) aerogels /epoxy composites were prepared basing on the three-step fabrication process which involving infiltration of epoxy resin into G-P aerogels under vacuum atmosphere. The microstructure of G-P aerogels possesses uniform three-dimensional structure, which can also be preserved well in epoxy composite. The three-dimensional interconnected graphene network serves as fast channels for charge carriers. The conductive property of the composite is improved significantly, 67.1 S/m with only 0.23%(mass fraction) filler content (1G-1%P, 1300 ℃). The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the composite (1G-1%P, 1300 ℃) can reach 33 dB in the frequency range of 8-12 GHz. More importantly, the G-P aerogel network also enhances the mechanical properties of epoxy matrix. Flexural strength and flexural modulus are increased by 60.93% and 25.98% respectively (10G-5%P, 180 ℃). Implication of the results suggests that the three-dimensional structure is an effective method for preparing composites with both excellent EMI SE and mechanical properties.

Keywords

• graphene aerogel
• epoxy
• electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness
• structure-property relationship