DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCOMPOSITES OF THERMOPLASTIC MATRIX WITH REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE BY IONIZING RADIATION

• Grant number: 18/23896-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Effective date (Start): March 04, 2019
• Effective date (End): May 03, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Nuclear Engineering - Applications of Radioisotopes
• Principal Investigator: Esperidiana Augusta Barretos de Moura
• Grantee: Esperidiana Augusta Barretos de Moura
• Host Investigator: Vijaya Rangari
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Tuskegee University (TU), United States

Abstract

Currently, graphene a two-dimensional nanomaterial, have been considered to be an ideal material for the production of polymeric nanocomposites with high electrical and thermal conductivity, excellent mechanical and barrier properties and relatively low production costs. However, the production of graphene for large-scale application and of the polymer/graphene nanocomposites still presents major challenges. One promising strategies for obtaining polymer/graphene nanocomposites is the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) from graphite, followed by reduction (GRO). Among the methods of GO reduction, the reduction by ionizing radiation is one of the most effective for the safe and large scale production of graphene, according to literature. The research group of the proponent at IPEN has been studying the reduction of GO (RGO) by ionizing radiation and its incorporation in polymers by the extrusion process. Recently, the proponent group synthesized GO from graphite, reduced by gamma radiation and incorporated into EVOH. Preliminary results showed a good dispersion of the RGO into the EVOH matrix and the production of EVOH/RGO flexible films with superior gas barrier and mechanical resistance properties when compared to EVOH/GO flexible films. Despite the promising results, the difficult access to characterization equipment has been postponing the progress of the research on polymer/RGO nanocomposites. In view of these perspectives, it is intended to conduct a research (through a two-month internship) in collaboration with the Research Group of Professor Dr. Vijaya K. Rangari of the Materials Science and Engineering Department, Center for Advanced Materials "TCAM", Tuskegee University, AL, USA. In this internship, intend to use the TCAM infrastructure for characterization of GO and nanocomposites prepared in IPEN, obtain polymer/RGO monofilaments and produce three-dimensional pieces by 3D printing (Fuse Deposition Modeling - FDM).