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Influence of Polymer Processing on the Double Electrical Percolation Threshold in PLA/PCL/GNP Nanocomposites
Nour-Alhoda Masarra1, Jean-Christophe Quantin2, Marcos Batistella1
1Polymers Composites and Hybrids (PCH), IMT Mines Ales, 30100 Ales, France.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 11, 2022
Summary
Researchers achieved a double electrical percolation threshold in polylactide (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) composites. Processing methods significantly impact electrical conductivity, with 3D printing resulting in higher resistance than compression molding.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Developing advanced polymer composites with tailored electrical properties is crucial for various applications.
- Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) are promising fillers for enhancing polymer composite performance.
- Understanding the relationship between composite morphology, processing, and electrical conductivity is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the double electrical percolation threshold in polylactide (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL)/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) composite systems.
- To evaluate the influence of processing methods (compression molding and fused filament fabrication) on composite properties.
- To correlate microstructure, electrical conductivity, rheological, and thermal properties.
Main Methods:
- Composite preparation via compression molding and fused filament fabrication (FFF).
- Microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Electrical conductivity measurements using the four-point probe method.
- Solvent extraction for co-continuity quantification.
- Melt shear rheology, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Main Results:
- The double electrical percolation threshold was achieved in PLA/PCL/GNP systems.
- Compression-molded samples showed a wide co-continuity range at 10 wt.% GNP.
- PLA65/PCL35/GNP composites exhibited optimal electrical conductivity and a fully co-continuous structure.
- 3D printing resulted in higher electrical resistance compared to compression molding.
- GNP content influenced polymer phase continuity, with higher content decreasing continuity.
Conclusions:
- Polymer processing methods significantly affect the electrical percolation threshold and overall composite performance.
- Fused filament fabrication (3D printing) of these composites leads to higher electrical resistance than compression molding.
- The study provides insights into optimizing PLA/PCL/GNP composites for specific electrical and mechanical applications.
