New functional nanocomposites based on poly(trimethylene 2,5-furanoate) and few layer graphene prepared by in situ polymerization

Abstract

Poly(trimethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PTF) nanocomposites reinforced with few layer graphene (FLG) were prepared through in situ polymerization. The method in question allows obtaining well-dispersed nanoplatelets in the whole volume of PTF matrix. The mechanical properties of the PTF/FLG nanocomposites slightly increased with as quantity of FLG as small as 0.1 wt%, which was best seen in the improvement of elongation at break by about two times. The presence of FLG did not affect the crystallization and chain mobility of PTF matrix. However, the incorporation of a small quantity of FLG slightly improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Additionally, the cold and hot water absorption and oxygen permittivity measurements confirmed that FLG affected the tortuosity of the diffusive path for the penetrant molecule. Moreover, along with a successive addition of FLG a linear increase in thermal conductivity was visible.

Keywords

• Nanocomposites
• Biopolymers
• Thermal properties
• Mechanical properties
• in situ polymerization