Development of Graphene-Reinforced Nanocomposites Based on Recycled Polystyrene from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment

• Grant number: 25/19430-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Production Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Jane Maria Faulstich de Paiva
• Grantee: Victor Augusto de Almeida Barros
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências em Gestão e Tecnologia (CCGT). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to incorporate graphene into recycled high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), aiming to produce nanocomposites with improved mechanical, thermal, and/or electrical properties, favouring their reintegration into the production chain. The global increase in electronic waste generation and environmental concerns related to improper disposal highlight the urgent need for recycling materials such as HIPS. The addition of graphene to the recycled polymer has the potential to significantly improve its properties, reducing the use of virgin materials and promoting the circular economy. In this context, the project contributes to the sustainability of the recycled plastics production chain by offering an environmentally viable alternative for managing this waste. Different graphene concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) will be explored, as well as the addition of a compatibilizer (such as polymethyl methacrylate or ethyl cellulose) to the recycled HIPS through the extrusion process, followed by the injection moulding process. Mechanical properties will be evaluated through tensile, flexural, and impact tests, along with thermal and electrical conductivity analyses. Furthermore, morphological analyses using optical and scanning electron microscopy will be performed to characterize the graphene dispersion in the polymer matrix. By using graphene as a functional reinforcement, the aim is to overcome the limitations imposed by traditional conductive additives, such as carbon black, which require high concentrations and compromise the material's performance.