Graphene-Based Polymer Composites and Their

Applications

Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 52: 319–331, 2013

Zachary Palmer, Kendall Wright, Charlie Chirino, Daniel Irvin

Composites of Graphene

Figure: Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 52: 319–331, 2013

Applications of Graphene

Figure: Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 52: 319–331, 2013

What is Graphene?• Hexagonal pattern of carbon

atoms• One-atom thick sheet• Graphite is made up of flakes of

graphene

– Graphite

Figure http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphite

-Graphene

Figure http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene

Special Properties of Graphene

• the quantum Hall effect (QHE)• high carrier mobility at room

temperature (10,000 cm2)• large theoretical specific

surface area (2630 m2)• good optical transparency

(97.7%)• high Young’s modulus (1 Tpa)• excellent conductivity (3000–

5000 Wm-1 K-1)

Figurehttps://www.google.com/search?q=young's+modulus

More Properties

• Thermal Conductivity– Greater than that of

Diamond and Carbon nanotubes

• Mechanical Properties– High Young’s Modulus =

Very Strong– Very lightweight

• 1 square meter weighs .77mg

https://www.google.com/search?thermoconductivity

Graphene Production• First produced using masking tape

– press adhesive tape onto a chunk of graphite and pull: this peels off a thin flake of grey-black carbon

– Then repeatedly stick the carbon-covered tape against itself and peel away: the carbon flake breaks up further into thin, faint fragments, each hundreds of micrometers across.

• Exfoliating • Growing• Producing large quantities of

Graphene is currently one issue faced by scientist

Figure: http://www.nature.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/nature/journal/v483/n7389_supp/full/483S32a.html

Figurehttp://www.nature.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/nature/journal/v483/n7389_supp/full/483S32a.html

Figure: Polymer-http://www.nature.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/nature/journal/v483/n7389_supp/full/483S32a.html

Preparing the Composites

• In Situ Intercalative Polymerization• Solution Intercalation• Melt Intercalation

Figure: Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 52: 319–331, 2013

List of Composites

Figure: Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 52: 319–331, 2013

Effects of Graphene Additives to Polymers

• Polyaniline/Graphene– Increased capacitance

Continued: Effects of Adding Graphene to Common Polymers

• Epoxy/Graphene-Composite strengthens

the thermal conductivity of the common adhesive Epoxy.

Bolsters abilities to be used as thermal interface

• Poly Styrene/GrapheneIntroduction of Graphene

improves electrical conductivity and expands uses.

Figure: Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 52: 319–331, 2013

Continued: Effects of Adding Graphene to Common Polymers

• Poly Urethane/Graphene

Addition of Graphene into pure polyurethane increases

conductivity by 10^5

• Polycarbonate (PC)/Graphene

Increases tinsel strength and expands its uses in physically demanding applications

Increases electrial conductivity

Figure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene

Continued: Effects of Adding Graphene to Common Polymers

Nafion/Graphene Nanocomposite

• Nafion is usually used in the production of electrodes. When combined with Graphene the sensitivity and

stablity increases.

Figure:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956566311000571

Into to Applications

Figure: Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 52: 319–331, 2013

Electronic Device Applications • Graphene based polymers have been used in

liquid crystal devices, light emitting diodes and electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells

Liquid Crystal Devicehttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/LED,_5mm.org

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/LED,_5mm.org

Electronic Device Applications Cont.

• Graphene/polymer composites have applications in transparent conducting films

• These are in Solar cells, Touch screens and flat panel display

Figure: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/LED,_5mm,_green_(en).svg/220px-LED,_5mm,_green_(en).svg.png

Application in Energy Storage

• Green Cells • by combining graphene

with two promising polymer cathode materials, poly-(anthraquinonyl sulfide) and polyimide researchers have improved the efficiency of lithium batteries

Figure: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/LED,_5mm,_green_(en).svg/220px-LED,_5mm,_green_(en).svg.png

Application in Energy Storage• Supercapacitor or

Ultracapacitor• Graphene derivatives and

conducting polymers are combined and used as the hybrid type of super capacitor

• The added graphene gives astounding energy density to these ultracapacitors.

Graphene coated silicon diskFigure: CNX.org/1feinbke/34mnbkd

Into to Applications as sensors

Basic Bio Sensor

Figure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene_nanoribbonshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene_nanoribbons

Application in Sensors• Graphene can be used

in multiple kinds of sensors– pH– Pressure– Temperature

Studies show exceptional sensitivity when graphene is employed

Figure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene

Biomedical Applications

• Graphene was first used in medical applications in 2008.

• Graphene based nanomaterials have been used in drug delivery and cancer therapy just to name a few

Figure http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene

Use in Cancer Therapy

• Toxicity of nanomaterials deployed for cancer treatment is a major dilemma facing advancement.

• PEG-Funtionalization graphene nanomaterials have negligible in vitro toxicity which deployed.

Figure: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/LED,_5mm,_green_(en).svg/220px-LED,_5mm,_green_(en).svg.png

Conclusion

• Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites represent one of the most technologically promising developments to emerge from the interface of graphene-based materials.

• There are many engineering challenges that still remain, but with proper research we can utilize graphene materials to their full potential.