Graphene and Polyethylene: A Strong Combination Towards Multifunctional Nanocomposites
Mar López-González,
Araceli Flores,
Fabrizio Marra,
Gary Ellis,
Marián Gómez-Fatou,
Horacio J. Salavagione
Affiliations
Mar López-González
Departamento de Química Física de Polímeros, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, ICTP-CSIC, c/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Araceli Flores
Departamento de Física, Elastómeros y Aplicaciones Energéticas, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, ICTP-CSIC, c/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Fabrizio Marra
Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Gary Ellis
Departamento de Física, Elastómeros y Aplicaciones Energéticas, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, ICTP-CSIC, c/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Marián Gómez-Fatou
Departamento de Física, Elastómeros y Aplicaciones Energéticas, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, ICTP-CSIC, c/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Horacio J. Salavagione
Departamento de Física, Elastómeros y Aplicaciones Energéticas, Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, ICTP-CSIC, c/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
The key to the preparation of polymer nanocomposites with new or improved properties resides in the homogeneous dispersion of the filler and in the efficient load transfer between components through strong filler/polymer interfacial interactions. This paper reports on the preparation of a series of nanocomposites of graphene and a polyolefin using different experimental approaches, with the final goal of obtaining multifunctional materials. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is employed as the matrix, while unmodified and chemically modified graphene fillers are used. By selecting the correct combination as well as the adequate preparation process, the nanocomposites display optimized thermal and mechanical properties, while also conferring good gas barrier properties and significant levels of electrical conductivity.