INFLUENCE OF GRAPHENE OXIDE ON THE PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE NANOCOMPOSITES

Abstract

In this work, the influence of small concentrations of graphene oxide on the physicomechanical properties of nanocomposites based on polypropylene and polyester oil was studied. A nano dispersed filler was added to the polypropylene matrix in amounts of 0.01 %, 0.05 % and 0.1 %. A rotary mixer with adjustable speed was used to homogenize the mixtures. To determine the characteristics of the new nanocomposite, test specimens were manufactured in accordance with EN 527 - 2 using the injection molding method. From the studies conducted, it was found that the introduction of graphene oxide nanoparticles into the polyolefin matrix in amounts of 0.01 %, 0.05 % and 0.1 % did not significantly affect the temperature-phase transitions. The addition of 0.1 % filler increased the hydrophobicity
of polypropylene by 8 %, the tensile strength at break increased by 14 %. There is a tendency towards an increase in the fluidity of the composite materials, but in general it can be concluded that the filler in these quantities does not significantly change the rheology of the polymer material. The filler has an impact on the thermal conductivity properties of the compound, since the graphene particles serve as nuclei for crystal formation.