Manufacturing and characterization of polypropylene/graphene oxide nanocomposites

• Grant number: 16/12400-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Guilhermino José Macêdo Fechine
• Grantee: Yuri Durighetto Coelho de Oliveira
• Home Institution: Centro de Pesquisas Avançadas em Grafeno, Nanomateriais e Nanotecnologia (MackGrafe). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo, SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/50259-8 - Graphene: photonics and opto-electronics: UPM-NUS collaboration, AP.SPEC

Abstract

The graphene oxide obtained by Hummers method, has been one of the most studied in nanocomposites literature, due to the increase thermal and mechanical properties that provides to the polymer matrix. However, it has been a challenge to obtain nanocomposites with high degree of interaction between reinforcement and matrix, providing a homogeneous distribution of graphene oxide (GO) on polymer matrix. This project aims to assess the GO dispersion process in polypropylene matrix (PP) by means of two mixing routes: a) direct mixing of GO in extruder and b) by means of a concentrate PP + GO. The proper method will be evaluated and the optimal process parameters will be set in order to obtain a good dispersion of GO in PP films. Films with different concentrations of GO will be produced and characterized primarily in terms of mechanical and barrier properties. The project will take place in the infrastructure of the SPEC project, "Graphene: photonics and opto-electronics" (process FAPESP 2012 / 50259-8) that provides all of the production and characterization of graphene. (AU)