Influence of graphene oxide and graphene nanosheet on the properties of polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites

In this study, graphene oxide (GO) and graphene nanosheets (GN) were prepared using natural graphite as a reinforcing agent, and different filler contents (1, 2, 3, and 4wt%) were used to produce nanocomposites based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). In particular, a melt-blending method was used as a 10wt% masterbatch was prepared and then diluted to get the final samples via compression molding. A complete characterization in terms of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that GO and GN were of high structural quality. Then, the nanocomposites were characterized in terms of thermal, rheological, electrical, and mechanical performances. The thermal stability of neat PVDF (400 degrees C) was found to increase with both fillers addition reaching at 3wt% 445 and 463 degrees C for GO and GN, respectively. For the same concentration, the PVDF Young's modulus was found to increase by 32% for GN, while only a 7% gain was observed for GO. Similarly, the rheological and electrical resistivity results showed that GN was more effective than GO in improving the performances of these nanocomposites, with an optimum approximate to 3wt% for the conditions tested. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2932-2941, 2018. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers