Molecular dynamics simulations of the structure and the morphology of graphene/polymer nanocomposites. Issue 20 (8th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Güryel, S.; Walker, M.; Geerlings, P.; De Proft, F.; Wilson, M. R.
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 19:Issue 20(2017)
• Page Start: 12959
• Page End: 12969
• Publication Date: 2017-05-08
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/c7cp01552f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to scrutinize the structure and morphology of three polymer/graphene nanocomposites. Abstract : The structure and morphology of three polymer/graphene nanocomposites have been studied using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The simulations use 10-monomer oligomeric chains of three polymers: polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The structure of the polymer chains at the graphene surface has been investigated and characterized by pair correlation functions (PCF), g ( r ), g ( θ ) and g ( r, θ ). In addition, the influence of the temperature on the graphene/polymer interactions has been analysed for each of the three polymer/graphene nanocomposite systems. The results indicate that graphene induces order in both the PE and PVDF systems by providing a nucleation site for crystallisation, steering the growth of oligomer crystals according to the orientation of the graphene sheet, whereas the PS system remains disordered in the presence of graphene. The overall results are in line with the findings in a recent quantumchemical study by some of the present authors.