Wood plastic composite using graphene nanoplatelets

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Composites
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Polypropylene (PP) composites are widely used but often require enhanced mechanical and physical properties.
• Wood flour is a sustainable filler, but its compatibility with PP can be limited.
• Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) offer exceptional properties for material reinforcement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize wood flour/polypropylene composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs).
• To investigate the effects of GNPs on the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of the composites.
• To determine the optimal concentration of GNPs for reinforcement.

Main Methods:

• Wood flour/polypropylene composites were prepared with varying wt.% of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs).
• Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a coupling agent to improve interphase adhesion.
• Mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, impact strength), physical properties (water uptake, thickness swelling), and thermal properties (degradation temperature) were evaluated.
• Morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Main Results:

• Tensile and flexural properties peaked at 0.8 wt.% GNPs.
• High GNP concentrations (3-5 wt.%) led to agglomeration and reduced stress transfer.
• Impact strength showed moderate improvement with GNP addition.
• Water uptake and thickness swelling decreased by 35% and 30%, respectively.
• Composites exhibited higher degradation temperatures compared to pure PP and control samples.

Conclusions:

• Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) act as effective reinforcing agents in wood flour/polypropylene composites.
• An optimal GNP content of 0.8 wt.% maximizes improvements in mechanical and physical properties.
• GNPs enhance thermal stability and reduce water absorption and swelling.
• The use of MAPP as a coupling agent aids in achieving better interphase adhesion.