Studying the dispersion of graphene for novel nanocomposite materials

研究石墨烯在新型纳米复合材料中的分散性

• 批准号: 560690-2020
• 负责人: Thompson, Michael
• 金额: $ 2.19万
• 依托单位: McMaster University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=707162
• 关键词: Studying; dispersion; graphene; novel; nanocomposite

The safe transport of sensitive fluids (liquids, oils, emulsions, gases) underground and within structures, relies upon pressure piping, normally made from engineered polyethylene alloys and composites. This type of piping is strongly regulated by governments due to the substantial disruptions caused to our communities and our environment when they fail too quickly. The current standard for pressure pipe in construction is designated PE100 which featuring a designed stress tolerance of 8 MPa and has a service life of 50 years. To make the next leap to stronger, longer lasting piping (PE125), it is unlikely that polymer structure alone will satisfy the stress tolerance requirements and so, researchers are seeking efficient fillers that will meet the cost and strengthen criteria of a suitable polymer composite. Graphene is a new nanosized filler aimed at conductivity and reinforcement applications but it is generally far too expensive to be considered for anything beyond high-value products like electronics and quite difficult to effectively mix into viscous polymers. Universal Matter Inc (UMI) has a new graphene product on the verge of being commercialized which they believe overcomes both cost and mixing challenges for this nanofiller and would make the jump possible to a polymer grade suitable for PE125 piping. The proposed research will examine the dispersability of their graphene product into polyethylene using industrially favoured melt compounding methods with a twin-screw extruder to make suitable polymer grade for PE125 piping. With a successful resin produced, we will compare the dispersability of this graphene in other polymers of differing hydrophobility to better understand the mechanism of dispersion taking place in the compounding process. Ideally, UMI plans to include a melt compounding division in a new production facility that they will begin to build in 2022 and the project outcomes will drive their decisions on the size and scope of the division.

敏感流体（液体、油、乳剂、气体）在地下和结构内部的安全输送依赖于压力管道，压力管道通常由工程聚乙烯合金和复合材料制成。这种类型的管道受到政府的严格监管，因为当它们过早失效时，会对我们的社区和环境造成重大破坏。目前施工压力管的标准指定为PE100，设计应力容限为8mpa，使用寿命为50年。为了实现更坚固、更持久的管道（PE125）的下一个飞跃，单独的聚合物结构不太可能满足应力容限要求，因此，研究人员正在寻找既能满足成本又能增强合适聚合物复合材料标准的有效填料。石墨烯是一种新型纳米级填充物，旨在导电和增强应用，但它通常过于昂贵，无法用于电子等高价值产品之外的任何产品，而且很难有效地混合到粘性聚合物中。Universal Matter Inc （UMI）有一种新的石墨烯产品即将商业化，他们相信该产品可以克服这种纳米填料的成本和混合挑战，并有可能飞跃到适合PE125管道的聚合物等级。拟议的研究将研究他们的石墨烯产品在聚乙烯中的分散性，使用工业上常用的熔融复合方法和双螺杆挤出机，以制造适合PE125管道的聚合物等级。随着树脂的成功生产，我们将比较这种石墨烯在其他不同疏水性聚合物中的分散性，以更好地了解在复合过程中发生的分散机制。理想情况下，UMI计划在2022年开始建设的新生产设施中包括一个熔体复合部门，项目结果将推动他们对该部门规模和范围的决定。