Effect of Amino-functionalized on Tensile and Electrical Properties of Graphene Nanopowder Filled Epoxy Thin Film Nanocomposite

By : Z.A. Ghaleb , M. Mariatt , Z.M. Ariff

Page No: 155-164

Abstract
Amino-functionalization of graphene nanopowder (GNP) was carried out by grafting ethylenediamine on the surface of GNP through the acid-thionyl-chloride way. Successful grafting of ethylenediamine on GNP surface was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Beside amino-functionalized GNP (m-GNP)/epoxy nanocomposites, GNP/epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated via ultrasonication and spin coating technique. Subsequently, the effects of GNP content on the tensile properties and electrical conductivity for two systems were investigated. The experimental results showed that m-GNP could enhance the adhesion and wettability between the graphene and the epoxy, thus improve the tensile strength and tensile modulus compared to those of the GNP without functionalization. However, the m-GNP/epoxy composites exhibit percolation threshold value at higher filler loading (0.6 vol%) compared to that of 0.1 vol% in GNP/epoxy composite. SEM of the tensile fracture surface of GNP/epoxy and m-GNP/epoxy composites showed that epoxy matrix wetted the m-GNPs due to improve compatibility with epoxy matrix and, as a result, more homogenous dispersion in the epoxy.

Authors :
Z.A. Ghaleb, M. Mariatti and Z.M. Ariff : School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.