Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites
This study investigates the thermo-mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-filled recycled polypropylene (rPP) nanocomposites to enhance their performance and sustainability. It examines the influence of GNP loading on mechanical, thermal, and electrical behavior, focusing on tensile st...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2588840425000095 |
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| author | Vimukthi Dananjaya Chamil Abeykoon |
| author_facet | Vimukthi Dananjaya Chamil Abeykoon |
| author_sort | Vimukthi Dananjaya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the thermo-mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-filled recycled polypropylene (rPP) nanocomposites to enhance their performance and sustainability. It examines the influence of GNP loading on mechanical, thermal, and electrical behavior, focusing on tensile strength, Young's modulus, impact strength, heat deflection temperature, thermal conductivity, and electrical resistivity. The GNP-rPP composites are fabricated by functionalizing GNPs through mild acid treatment to enhance compatibility with the rPP matrix, followed by melt mixing in a twin-screw extruder at varying GNP loadings (0–20 Phr). The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and flexural strength of recycled polypropylene increased by 15.6 MPa, 3.7 MPa, and 2.41 MPa, respectively, as the GNP loading increased from 0 to 20 Phr. Adding Adding GNP up to 20 Phr into the rPP matrix also increased the crystallization, melting, onset, and maximum decomposition temperatures by 5, 4.7, 8.36, and 7.02 °C, respectively. Additionally, the thermal conductivity shows an increasing trend, with an improvement of 221 mW/mK. However, including fillers reduced electrical resistivity by 105 Ω cm and impact strength by 64.27 Jm⁻1. The significance of this work lies in providing eco-friendly alternatives to conventional polymers, promoting the adoption of recycled materials, and contributing to sustainable product design. The outcomes offer valuable insights for industries promoting a circular economy with cleaner production while reducing the carbon footprint. Also, the recycling and reuse of synthetic polymers uncover a valuable prospect for tackling the escalating global polymeric waste problem. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3be38d4e02e94987adddafd0993f5e47 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2588-8404 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture |
| spelling | doaj-art-3be38d4e02e94987adddafd0993f5e472025-08-20T03:53:56ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture2588-84042025-05-018337438410.1016/j.ijlmm.2025.01.003Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocompositesVimukthi Dananjaya0Chamil Abeykoon1School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AustraliaNorthwest Composites Centre, Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, Department of Materials, Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, Manchester, UK; Corresponding author.This study investigates the thermo-mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-filled recycled polypropylene (rPP) nanocomposites to enhance their performance and sustainability. It examines the influence of GNP loading on mechanical, thermal, and electrical behavior, focusing on tensile strength, Young's modulus, impact strength, heat deflection temperature, thermal conductivity, and electrical resistivity. The GNP-rPP composites are fabricated by functionalizing GNPs through mild acid treatment to enhance compatibility with the rPP matrix, followed by melt mixing in a twin-screw extruder at varying GNP loadings (0–20 Phr). The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and flexural strength of recycled polypropylene increased by 15.6 MPa, 3.7 MPa, and 2.41 MPa, respectively, as the GNP loading increased from 0 to 20 Phr. Adding Adding GNP up to 20 Phr into the rPP matrix also increased the crystallization, melting, onset, and maximum decomposition temperatures by 5, 4.7, 8.36, and 7.02 °C, respectively. Additionally, the thermal conductivity shows an increasing trend, with an improvement of 221 mW/mK. However, including fillers reduced electrical resistivity by 105 Ω cm and impact strength by 64.27 Jm⁻1. The significance of this work lies in providing eco-friendly alternatives to conventional polymers, promoting the adoption of recycled materials, and contributing to sustainable product design. The outcomes offer valuable insights for industries promoting a circular economy with cleaner production while reducing the carbon footprint. Also, the recycling and reuse of synthetic polymers uncover a valuable prospect for tackling the escalating global polymeric waste problem.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2588840425000095Graphene nanoplateletsRecycled polypropyleneThermal propertiesElectrical propertiesMechanical PropertiesSustainability |
| spellingShingle | Vimukthi Dananjaya Chamil Abeykoon Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture Graphene nanoplatelets Recycled polypropylene Thermal properties Electrical properties Mechanical Properties Sustainability |
| title | Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites |
| title_full | Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites |
| title_fullStr | Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites |
| title_short | Thermo-mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites |
| title_sort | thermo mechanical and electrical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced recycled polypropylene nanocomposites |
| topic | Graphene nanoplatelets Recycled polypropylene Thermal properties Electrical properties Mechanical Properties Sustainability |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2588840425000095 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vimukthidananjaya thermomechanicalandelectricalpropertiesofgraphenenanoplateletsreinforcedrecycledpolypropylenenanocomposites AT chamilabeykoon thermomechanicalandelectricalpropertiesofgraphenenanoplateletsreinforcedrecycledpolypropylenenanocomposites |