Composites of Graphene(s) and TPEs/TPVs

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Without exception the first large scale application proposed for most nanomaterials, including the graphene family of materials is as a functional filler for composite applications. To date, the tendency has been to add poorly characterised graphene to the polymer of interest using different mixing devices, more often using mixing methods not representative of that used in industry. Unsurprisingly, this approach has significantly hindered the full exploitation of these composite materials. Critically, the promotion of interfacial interactions between the graphene and polymer is widely ignored by many researchers. Tailoring the properties of such composites is dependent on effective dispersion and distribution of the graphene in the polymer/rubber of interest, the extent of which determined by a combination of favourable interfacial interaction and efficient mixing of the composite component. In this project, the dispersion of and interfacial interaction between model graphene(s) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV)s from both petrochemical and bio-derived sources will be studied. TPEs/TPV's are multiphase systems and the controlled localisation of the graphene in different phases will be examined using a range of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The relationship between processing, composite structure and properties will be investigated where the, ultimate aim of the project is to gain a fundamental understanding of the factors that control localization of unfunctionalized and functionalized graphene(s) in two phase polymer systems such that the properties of the TPE/TPV can be tailored.