Publication

Abstract : Nanocomposites containing thermally reduced graphene (TRG) have been prepared with poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) plasticized with (bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether) (BADGE), a cross-linkable additive. Morphology of the PTT–BADGE blend was dependent on preference for interaction of TRG with PTT or BADGE and nucleation activity of TRG toward PTT. PTT-TRG and PTT-BADGE-TRG nanocomposites with different BADGE TRG ratios were prepared by a melt mixing technique facilitated by miscibility of PTT and BADGE. The influence of TRG on crystallization nucleation, kinetics and morphology was measured using differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Crystallization of PTT caused phase separation of BADGE, though PTT–BADGE remained miscible in PTT amorphous regions. BADGE created increased flexibility of PTT though dynamic mechanical properties were moderated by TRG, both directly as a filler and as a result of enhanced crystallization. Synergistic improvement in modulus was observed at particular compositions attributed to a change in morphology of an immobilized zone consisting of BADGE and TRG within amorphous fractions of PTT. The results are of consequence for design of materials using a semi-crystalline polymer, for applications where simultaneous use of a processing aid, plasticizer and nano-reinforcement.