Novel graphene UHMWPE nanocomposites prepared by polymerization filling using single-site catalysts supported on functionalized graphene nanosheet dispersions
Novel families of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites, containing uniformly dispersed, functionalized graphene (FG) nanosheets, were prepared by means of the polymerization filling technique (PFT). Unparalleled by any other carbon and boehmite nanocomposites, FG/UHMWPE ex...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
August 30, 2012
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| In: |
Macromolecules
Year: 2012, Volume: 45, Issue: 17, Pages: 6878-6887 |
| ISSN: | 1520-5835 |
| DOI: | 10.1021/ma301376q |
| Online Access: | Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ma301376q Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1021/ma301376q 
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| Author Notes: | Markus Stürzel, Fabian Kempe, Yi Thomann, Stefan Mark, Markus Enders, and Rolf Mülhaupt |
| Summary: | Novel families of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites, containing uniformly dispersed, functionalized graphene (FG) nanosheets, were prepared by means of the polymerization filling technique (PFT). Unparalleled by any other carbon and boehmite nanocomposites, FG/UHMWPE exhibited an unusual simultaneous improvement in stiffness, elongation at break, and effective nucleation of polyethylene crystallization at only 1 wt % FG content. FG nanosheets are ultrathin—with a thickness of only one carbon atom and lateral dimensions of several micrometers. Owing to the presence of surface hydroxyl groups on the FG, single FG/methylaluminoxane (MAO) nanosheets can be effectively dispersed in n-heptane, thus enabling immobilization of an MAO-activated chromium (Cr1) single-site catalyst on FG. In contrast to nanometer-scale carbon black (CB), multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphite, and nanoboehmite, which failed to form stable dispersions, FG/MAO/Cr1 afforded the highest catalyst activities and excellent morphological control. In polymerization filling, the integration of a nanoparticle dispersion into the polymerization process eliminated the need for special safety and handling precautions typically required by conventional compounding of nanoparticles with ultralow bulk densities. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 11.06.2018 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1520-5835 |
| DOI: | 10.1021/ma301376q |