Furan-Based Bionanocomposites Reinforced with a Hybrid System of Carbon Nanofillers

Abstract

Bionanocomposites based on poly(trimethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTF-b-F-PTMO) with various contents of carbon nanofibers, graphene nanoplatelets and a hybrid system of these nanoparticles are synthesized via in situ polymerization. The dispersion of nanoparticles in the nanocomposites is determined using a scanning electron microscope and optical microscopy images. The thermal properties are studied employing differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The melt viscosity of the synthesized materials is determined using rheological measurements. Mechanical properties, along with the thermal and electrical conductivity, are also analyzed. The synthesized polymer nanocomposites are processed using injection molding and they display mechanical properties of elastomers during mechanical testing, which indicates that the obtained materials are, in fact, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Compared to a neat matrix (PTF-b-F-PTMO 50/50), the incorporation of nanoparticles causes an increase in the value of the degree of crystallinity and the value of the tensile modulus values (E) of the nanocomposites. Such reinforced bionanocomposites are especially interesting from an applicative point of view. They can be used as components of fuel systems, bumpers, or cupholders.