Synergistic Effects of Alkylated Graphene Oxide on the Properties of Polypropylene-Based Carbon Nanocomposites

Polypropylene (PP)/carbon black (CB)-alkylated graphene oxide (AGO) hybrid nanocomposites were prepared via solution process and the synergistic effects of AGO on the properties of the PP/CB nanocomposites were investigated. AGO at a content of only 0.2 wt% formed an overlapped network structure in the PP matrix and affected the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of the PP/CB nanocomposites. Specifically, PP/CB (5 wt%)-AGO (0.2 wt%) nanocomposites exhibited an electrical percolation threshold at lower CB contents than the PP/CB nanocomposites did, and the sheet resistance was decreased to 2.3x10(7) Omega/sq. The thermal degradation temperature and recrystallization temperature of the PP/CB (10 wt%) nanocomposites were increased by 11.3 and 1.6 degrees C, respectively, by the addition of 0.2 wt% AGO. In addition, the Young's modulus of the PP/CB (10 wt%) nanocomposite was increased from 438.1 to 540.1 MPa.