Graphene Polymer Composite: Introduction to Graphene, Structure of Graphene (Research Paper Sample)

Graphene Polymer Composite
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Abstract
Despite graphene not being a new material, it has captured the attention of various scientific scholars due to its remarkable characteristics and benefits. In its simplest form, graphene is a single carbon sheet of precisely one atom thickness. Graphene has been publicized as a great material or wonder which has caused numerous research and development in its applications. This study examined graphene at wider discernment. It examined the general relation of graphene to composite materials and its structure, production methods and properties of graphene/ polymer nanocomposites. The properties of graphene/ polymer nanocomposites were explored in depth to bring an understanding to the uniqueness of graphene.
Table of Content:
1. What is a composites material?....................................................................................3
1.1 Reinforcement:……………………………………………………………………….3
1.2 Matrices:……………………………………………………………………………...3
2. Types of composite materials: .....................................................................................4
3. An Introduction to Graphene: ....................................................................................4
4. The structure of Graphene: .........................................................................................5
5. A Comparison between Graphene composite polymers and other composites:.........5
6. The methods of production: .......................................................................................5
6.1 Micromechanical exfoliation or direct exfoliation of graphite…....................6
6.2 Chemical reduction of (GO) ............................................................................7
6.3 Graphite Oxide.................................................................................................7
6.4 thermal exfoliation and reduction: ..................................................................7
7. Dispersion of Graphene into Polymers: ....................................................................8
8. Properties of graphene / polymer Nanocomposites: .................................................8
8.1 Electrical Conductivity: .................................................................................9
8.2 Thermal Conductivity: ..................................................................................9
8.3 Mechanical Properties: ..................................................................................9
8.4 Thermocalorimetric Transitions: ..................................................................9
8.5 Dimensional Stability: .....................................................................................9
8.6 Gas permeation: ................................................................................................9
8.7 Thermal Stability:..............................................................................................9
Bibliography:..........................................................................................................10
Graphene Polymer Composite
1 What is a composites material?
Composite materials are a combination of two different kinds of materials and sometime more than two materials. The two combined materials work together to produce the unique composite properties. The difference between the materials can; however, be observed as the materials do not blend or dissolve into each other. In most cases, one of these materials has different properties than the other material. The important thing is that when these two materials work together; they will give a new material, which is called composite material. This composite has unique properties. However, the arrangements of these materials occur without mixing the composite to form one phase such as alloys. To be more specific, they do not dissolve with each other. In general, the quality of composite material depends on the integration between the process of the specification of the material and the design of the composite (Hull and Clyne 1996).
1.1 Reinforcement (fibres).
According to Hayes et al. (2010), composites are produced using materials in which a homogenous matrix constituent is reinforced using a stronger and rigid constituent that is in most case fibrous; however, it may have another shape or particulate. For instance, a fiver reinforced plastic is a thermosetting polyester matrix that contains glass fibber. In fibbers, matrix plays a critical role of protecting the fibbers from abrasion and attack from the environment (Hayes et al. 2010). Glass and metal are available as matrix materials, although they are expensive and restricted to R & D laboratories. For this reason, polymers are more frequently used. In daily activities, various engineering structures are needed to bear heavy loads, which make the greatest interest of material property to be its strength (Hayes et al. 2010). There are many functions of the reinforcement materials. One of the important functions of these materials is their mechanical effect in lifting applied loads. Another role of the reinforcement is to provide the stiffness, strength, thermal stability and the other structural properties in the composite. It is important to know that the type of fibre, which is used as reinforcement, has a clear effect on some properties such as electrical conductivity and isolation.
1.2 Matrices
In relation to the matrices, Matrices have main functions as well. One of these functions is to transfer the load to the reinforcement, which is in this case fibre. Moreover, matrices bind fibres together and give the whole composite rigidity and shape. In addition, matrices protect reinforcement fibres form environmental attack.
2. Types of Composite Materials:
There are different kinds of composite materials. The most common is the kind divided into two factors. The first composite is that with the structure of reinforcement inside the matrix. For instance, particle reinforced composites, Short fibre - whisker reinforced, Continuous fibre (monofilament) and Laminate composite; and fibre reinforcement composites. Such kinds of composites cover a wider range of various material combinations. The most common is the polymer matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites and metal matrix composites.
Figure 1: Different types of reinforcement for composites
The other factor is the materials that are used to produce fibres and matrices as well. The common examples for these materials are metal materials, ceramic materials and polymer materials. However, most composites in the industrial use are based on polymeric material. Polymer materials can be divided into two parts. The first one is thermosets and the second one is thermoplastic. The two of them are usually reinforced with aligned ceramic fibres such as glass, organic and carbon. It should be taken in consideration that graphene is one form of ceramic materials which is similar to carbon structure, despite not being a fibre.
3. An Introduction to Graphene:
In the last two decades, the Graphene was a novel material, which became one of the materials that attract engineers especially in many applications around the world whether in the academic side or industrial side. Some of its applications are applied in the aerospace, automobile and defences industries (Du and Cheng 2012). However, what does make Graphene distinguishable in comparison to other materials is a question must be asked in order to identify Graphene among the other materials particularly in comparison to metal materials as an example. It should be taking in consideration that Graphene is among the large group of reinforcement polymers, which can be used in polymer composite materials (Das and Prusty 2013). Nevertheless, Graphene is special because it has an exceptional specific modulus and specific strength, as well. In addition, Graphene is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. Graphene is also relatively simple in treatment and fabrication processes (Potts et al. 2010).
4. The Structure of Graphene:
In relation to the structure of Graphene, it is a one-atom-thick planar sheet of sp 2 –bonded of carbon atoms and arranged in a two dimension hexagonal lattice or chicken wire pattern whereas benzene is the repeating structural unit for graphene. There are some expectations that are expected by researchers that Graphene will be the thinnest and strongest material in the world (Du and Cheng 2012). Moreover, Graphene is the base of all graphitic forms including zero-dimensional fullerenes (0D), one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (1D),three-dimensional graphite (3D) and (2D) for...