Novel exfoliated graphite nanoplates/syndiotactic polystyrene composites prepared by solution-blending. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Fu-An; Wu, Hui-Jun; Yang, Xin-Li; Lam, Kwok-Ho; Fan, Jin-Tu; Chan, Lai-Wa Helen
• Is Part Of: Polymer testing. Volume 42(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: xGNPs/sPS composites -- Crystallization behavior -- Thermal stability -- AC electrical conductivity -- Thermal conductivity; Polymers -- Testing -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Tests -- Périodiques; 620.1920287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2015.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9418

Abstract

Abstract: Novel exfoliated graphite nanoplates (xGNPs)/syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) composites were prepared by a simple and effective solution-blending method. The uniform dispersion of xGNPs in sPS matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of xGNPs on sPS crystallization behavior was investigated by wide angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the existence of xGNPs increased the crystallization ability of sPS and facilitated the formation of the β phase crystalline structure. By adding 10 wt.% of xGNPs, the increase in the onset degradation temperature of the xGNPs/sPS composite could reach 12°C. The AC electrical conductivity at 1000 Hz increased from 3.8 × 10 −10 S/m for neat sPS to 2.25 × 10 −4 S/m for xGNPs/sPS composite containing 2.93 vol.% of xGNPs. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of the xGNPs/sPS composite containing 8.26 vol.% has been significantly improved from 0.21 to 1.63 W/m·K when compared with that of pure sPS.