Graphene enhanced linear low-density polyethylene nanocomposites by premixing and melt compounding

Authors

  • Wan Nazri WAN BUSU Food Science & Technology Research Center, Malaysia Agricultural Research and Development Institute, PO Box 12101, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Ruey Shan CHEN Centre for Frontier Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Muhammad Jefri MOHD YUSOF Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Sahrim AHMAD Centre for Frontier Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55713/jmmm.v31i1.852

Keywords:

Graphene nanoplatelets, LLDPE, Premix, Masterbatch, Indirect mixing technique

Abstract

 In this study, linear low-density polyethylene/graphene nanoplatelets (LLDPE/GNPs) nanocomposites were prepared from conventional melt-mixing method and our new approach; two-step premix mixing technique. Indirect mixing technique (IDT) was employed to fabricate a premix of LLDPE/ GNPs in the ratio of 80:20 wt%. The effects of GNPs loadings and the processing method of nanocomposites on the mechanical strength, decomposition temperature, crystallinity, electrical impedance and morphology were investigated. Irrespective of processing methods, the prepared nanocomposites exhibited crystalline structure due to the presence of GNPs whilst the degradation temperature was recorded to be increased with GNPs loadings that signified improved thermal stability. The inclusion of GNPs provided electrical impedance ability on LLDPE matrix as a result from the formation of conductive networks of GNPs. LLDPE/GNPs nanocomposites prepared from two-step premix mixing technique showed better mechanical properties than those of melt-mixing method. Apparently, two-step premix mixing of LLDPE/GNPs nanocomposites promoted better dispersion of GNPs in matrix based on SEM images. Our findings have proved that our new, profound technique of preparing premix before mixing could result in enhanced quality of nanocomposites that are potentially useful in packaging or electronic applications.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Wan Nazri WAN BUSU, Food Science & Technology Research Center, Malaysia Agricultural Research and Development Institute, PO Box 12101, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Food Science & Technology Research Center

Ruey Shan CHEN, Centre for Frontier Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Centre for Frontier Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Muhammad Jefri MOHD YUSOF, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Sahrim AHMAD, Centre for Frontier Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Centre for Frontier Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

References

A. Popelka, P.N. Khanam, and M.A. AlMaadeed, “Surface modification of polyethylene/graphene composite using corona discharge,” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, vol. 51(10), pp. 105302, 2018.

H. Kim, S. Kobayashi, M.A. Abdurrahim, M.J. Zhang, A. Khusainova, M.A. Hillmyer, A.A. Abdala, and C.W. MacOsko, “Graphene/polyethylene nanocomposites: effect of polyethylene functionalization and blending methods,” Polymer, vol. 52(8), pp. 1837-1846, 2011.

T. Kuilla, S. Bhadra, D. Yao, N.H. Kim, S. Bose, and J.H. Lee, “Recent advances in graphene based polymer composites,” Progress in Polymer Science, vol. 35(11), pp. 1350-1375, 2010.

M.F.H.M. Ruf, S. Ahmad, R.S. Chen, D. Shahdan, and F. Zailan, “Liquid natural rubber toughened poly(Lactic acid) blend: Effects of compatibilizer types and loadings on thermo-mechanical properties,” Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, vol. 22, pp. 885-891, 2018.

M. Nasir, and C.H. Choo, “Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of carbon black filled styrene-butadiene rubber and epoxidized natural rubber blends,” European Polymer Journal, vol. 25(4), pp. 355-359, 1989.

G.D. Goh, Y.L. Yap, S. Agarwala, and W.Y. Yeong, “Recent progress in additive manufacturing of fiber reinforced polymer composite,” Advanced Materials Technologies, vol. 4(1), pp. 1800271, 2019.

H. Shin, K. Baek, J.G Han, and M. Cho, “Homogenization analysis of polymeric nanocomposites containing nanoparticulate clusters,” Composites Science and Technology,” vol. 138, pp. 217-224, 2017.

K. Baek, H. Shin, T. Yoo, and M. Cho, “Two-step multiscale homogenization for mechanical behaviour of polymeric nanocomposites with nanoparticulate agglomerations,” Composites Science and Technology, vol. 179, pp. 97-105, 2019.

J. Pera, and J. Ambroise, “Fiber-reinforced magnesia-phosphate cement composites for rapid repair,” Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 20(1), pp. 31-39, 1998.

P.N. Khanam, M.A. AlMaadeed, M. Ouederni, E. Harkin-Jones, B. Mayoral, A. Hamilton, and D. Sun, “Melt processing and properties of linear low density polyethylene-graphene nanoplatelet composites,” Vacuum, vol. 130, pp. 63-71, 2016.

B.G. Morin, “Melt-spun multifilament polyolefin yarn formation processes and yarns formed therefrom,” Google Patents, Nov. 04, 2008.

Y. Nakagawa, K. Mori, and T. Maeno, “3D printing of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic parts,” The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 91(5-8), pp. 2811-2817, 2017.

G.W. Melenka, B.K.O. Cheung, J.S. Schofield, M.R. Dawson, and J.P. Carey, “Evaluation and prediction of the tensile properties of continuous fiber-reinforced 3D printed structures,” Composite Structures, vol. 153, pp. 866-875, 2016.

K. Mori, T. Maeno, and Y. Nakagawa, “Dieless forming of carbon fibre reinforced plastic parts using 3D printer,” Procedia Engineering, vol. 81, pp. 1595-1600, 2014.

S. Berretta, R. Davies, Y.T. Shyng, Y. Wang, and O. Ghita, “Fused Deposition Modelling of high temperature polymers: Exploring CNT PEEK composites,” Polymer Testing, vol. 63, pp. 251-262, 2017.

T. Kuila, S. Bose, C.E. Hong, M.E. Uddin, P. Khanra, N.H. Kim, and J.H. Lee, “Preparation of functionalized graphene/ linear low density polyethylene composites by a solution mixing method,” Carbon, vol. 49(3), pp. 1033-1037, 2011.

K. Kalaitzidou, H. Fukushima, and L.T. Drzal, “A new compounding method for exfoliated graphite–polypropylene nanocomposites with enhanced flexural properties and lower percolation threshold,” Composites Science and Technology, vol. 67(10), pp. 2045-2051, 2007.

P. Maiti, C.A. Batt, and E.P. Giannelis, “New biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate/layered silicate nanocomposites,” Biomacro-molecules, vol. 8(11), pp. 3393-3400, 2007.

M.E. Achaby, F. Arrakhiz, S. Vaudreuil, A.K. Qaiss, M. Bousmina, and O. Fassi‐Fehri, “Mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of graphene‐based polypropylene nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing,” Polymer Composites, vol. 33(5), pp. 733-744, 2012.

P.N. Khanam, M.A. AlMaadeed, M. Ouederni, B. Mayoral, A. Hamilton, and D. Sun, “Effect of two types of graphene nanoplatelets on the physico–mechanical properties of linear low–density polyethylene composites,” Advanced Manufacturing: Polymer & Composites Science, vol. 2(2), pp. 67-73, 2016.

S.M. Ardekani, A. Dehghani, M.A. Al-Maadeed, M.U. Wahit, and A. Hassan, “Mechanical and thermal properties of recycled poly-

(ethylene terephthalate) reinforced newspaper fiber composites,” Fibers Polym., Fibers and Polymers, vol. 15(7), pp. 1531-1538, 2014.

N. Nabizadeh, G.H. Zohuri, M. Khoshsefat, N. Ramezanian, and S. Ahmadjo, “Ethylene/1-Hexene Copolymerization and Synthesis of LLDPE/Nanocarbon Composite through In Situ Polymerization,” Polymer Science, Series B, vol. 60(1), pp. 122-129, 2018.

K. Zhou, W. Yang, G. Tang, B. Wang, S. Jiang, Y. Hu, and Z. Gui., “Comparative study on the thermal stability, flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties of polystyrene composites containing molybdenum disulfide and graphene,” RSC Advances, vol. 3(47), pp. 25030-25040, 2013.

N.E. Zakaria, I. Ahmad, W.N.W. Busu, H. Khalid, and A. Baharum, “Kesan Penambahan Kepingan Nanozarah Grafin terhadap Sifat Mekanik dan Terma Hibrid Komposit Serabut Sansevieria-Getah Asli-Polietilena Berketumpatan Tinggi,” Sains Malaysiana, vol. 48(5), pp. 1121-1128, 2019.

T.D Ngo, M.T. Ton-That, S.V. Hoa, and K.C. Cole, “Effect of temperature, duration and speed of pre-mixing on the dispersion of clay/epoxy nanocomposites,” Composites Science and Technology, vol. 69(11-12), pp. 1831-1840, 2009.

P.N. Khanam, M.A. AlMaadeed, S. AlMaadeed, S. Kunhoth, M. Ouederni, D. Sun, A. Hamilton, E.H. Jones, and B. Mayoral, “Optimization and prediction of mechanical and thermal properties of graphene/LLDPE nanocomposites by using artificial neural networks,” International Journal of Polymer Science, vol. 2016, 2016.

V. Sridhar, I. Lee, H.H. Chun, and H. Park, “Graphene reinforced biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) nano-composites.,” Express Polymer Letters, vol. 7(4), 2013.

F.D. Zailan, R.S. Chen, D. Shahdan, and S. Ahmad, “Effect of conductive polyaniline in thermoplastic natural rubber blends on the mechanical, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity properties,” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 136(20), pp. 47527, 2019.

J.R. Potts, O. Shankar, S. Murali, L. Du, and R.S. Ruoff, “Latex and two-roll mill processing of thermally-exfoliated graphite oxide/natural rubber nanocomposites,” Composites Science and Technology, vol. 74, pp. 166-172, 2013.

H. Algul, M. Tokur, S. Ozcan, M. Uysal, T. Cetinkaya, and H. Akbulut, “The effect of graphene content and sliding speed on the wear mechanism of nickel–graphene nanocomposites,” Applied Surface Science, vol. 359, pp. 340-348, 2015.

F.D. Zailan, R.S. Chen, S. Ahmad, D. Shahdan, A.M. Ali, and M.F.H. Mohd Ruf, “Blends of linear low-density polyethylene, natural rubber and polyaniline: Tensile properties and thermal stability,” Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, vol. 22(6), pp. 999-1006, 2018.

J.E. Japka. “Carbonyl iron power premix composition,” U.S. Patent 5 401 292, Mar. 28, 1995.

R. Quintana, O. Persenaire, Y. Lemmouchi, L. Bonnaud, and P. Dubois, “Compatibilization of co-plasticized cellulose acetate/ water soluble polymers blends by reactive extrusion,” Polymer Degradation and Stability, vol. 126, pp. 31-38, 2016.

Downloads

Published

2021-03-28

How to Cite

[1]
W. N. WAN BUSU, R. S. CHEN, M. J. MOHD YUSOF, and S. AHMAD, “Graphene enhanced linear low-density polyethylene nanocomposites by premixing and melt compounding”, J Met Mater Miner, vol. 31, no. 1, Mar. 2021.

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles