Crystallinity and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene-based Graphene Nanocomposites Studied with Atomic Force Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy
TL;DR: In this paper, the phase angle of polypropylene-based graphene nanocomposites was measured using an Amplitude Modulated AFM to estimate the loss tangent, along with the local elastic modulus of the nanocompositionite surface as a function of graphene content.
Abstract: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the morphology and the local mechanical properties of polypropylene-based graphene nanocomposites. Amplitude Modulated AFM was used to perform phase angle measurements to estimate the loss tangent, along with the local elastic modulus of the nanocomposite’s surface as a function of graphene content. We have observed an increasing trend in phase angle as the graphene content increased. We also identified wrinkled graphene flakes embedded in the polymer matrix. The graphene corrugation and mismatched strain between polymer and graphene sheets show a variation in the phase angle that is corroborated with Raman measurements. Mechanically exfoliated graphene on SiO2 was characterized as a baseline to understand the effect of graphene wrinkles compared to graphene surfaces on phase angle. The Raman results revealed that there are changes in the crystalline morphology of the polymer with the addition of graphene.
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01 Aug 2013
TL;DR: In this paper, an atomic force microscopy (AFM) operated in tapping mode was used to simultaneously obtain topographical, phase and loss tangent scans of polypropylene-graphene nanocomposite.
Abstract: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) operated in tapping mode was used to simultaneously obtain topographical, phase and loss tangent scans of polypropylene-graphene nanocomposite. This polymer nanocomposite was loaded with five percentage of graphene by weight. AFM force-distance curves were generated to further investigate the elasticity and adhesion of the polymer nanocomposite and to distinguish regions containing graphene or polymer within the nanocomposite. In addition, electrical properties of the nanocomposite surface were analyzed based on amplitude modulation electrostatic force microscopy.
Cites background or result from "Crystallinity and Mechanical Proper..."
...Raman results confirmed that our sample have different degrees of crystallinity [3]....
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...Previously we have observed that phase angle in tapping mode AFM images of the polypropylene-graphene nanocomposites increases by the increasing loading of the graphene filler [3]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the fundamentals, applications and future tendencies of dynamic atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods and present a detailed quantitative comparison between theoretical simulations and experiment.
1,908 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated from stress-induced Raman bands shifts that stress can be transferred from a polymer matrix to a graphene monolayer in a model nanocomposite.
Abstract: It is demonstrated from stress-induced Raman bands shifts that stress can be transferred from a polymer matrix to a graphene monolayer (see image) in a model nanocomposite. It is shown further that the behavior can be modeled using continuum mechanics and that the interface between the graphene and the polymer breaks down at a shear stress of the order of 2 MPa.
578 citations
TL;DR: In this article, natural rubber (NR) based nanocomposites with 10% natural and synthetic layered silicates were produced via the latex compounding method, and the silicate dispersion was studied by transmission electron microscopy.
334 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a method to estimate the degree of crystallinity in isotactic polypropylene has been developed based on integrated intensities of the Raman bands at 808 and 841 cm−1.
169 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the utility of inorganic nanoparticles as additives to enhance polymer performance has been established and now provides numerous commercial opportunities, ranging from advanced aerospace systems to commodity plastics, and the incorporation of low volume additions of highly anisotropic nanoparticles, such as layered silicates or carbon nanotubes, have resulted in property enhancements with respect to the neat polymer that are comparable with that achieved by conventional loadings (15-40 wt-%) of traditional fillers.
Abstract: Polymer nanocomposites, or more appropriately polymer nanostructured materials, represent a radical alternative to the conventional filled polymers and polymer blends, in which discrete constituents on the order of a few nanometres are incorporated in the polymer matrix. In the last decade, the utility of inorganic nanoparticles as additives to enhance polymer performance has been established and now provides numerous commercial opportunities, ranging from advanced aerospace systems to commodity plastics. The incorporation of low volume additions (1–5 wt-%) of highly anisotropic nanoparticles, such as layered silicates or carbon nanotubes, have resulted in property enhancements with respect to the neat polymer that are comparable with that achieved by conventional loadings (15–40 wt-%) of traditional fillers. The lower loadings facilitate processing and reduce component weight. In addition, unique value added properties not normally possible with traditional fillers were also observed, such as hig...
59 citations