Nucleation and mechanical enhancements in poly(butylene terephthalate) nanocomposites influenced by functionalized graphene oxide

Series of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) nanocomposites are fabricated with polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA)-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) nanofillers (G-P) as the interfacial modifiers. PBT/G-P nanocomposites demonstrate good compatibility and interfacial interaction based on the uniform dispersed G-P nanofillers influenced by the grafted PEGMA chains. Crystallization behavior and nucleation density of PBT matrix get an increase and show a maximum at 1.5 wt% G-P nanofillers. Tensile strength and modulus of PBT/G-P nanocomposites first increase and then decrease with the varied G-P contents from 0.1 to 3.0 wt%, indicating the overloaded nanofillers impact the stress transfer. Against PBT/GO nanocomposites, PBT/G-P ones present 58% enhancement for the tensile strength, which is ascribed to the different interfacial compatibility afforded by the GO and G-P nanofillers. The present study demonstrates that it is a possible way to prepare high-performance PBT nanocomposites through the enhanced interfacial layer and nucleation behavior of polymer matrix.