GraNet - Graphene / Polypropylene Composite Nets for Filtration

该项目将研究使用石墨烯与广泛使用的塑料聚丙烯形成复合材料。如果石墨烯小片能够成功地分散在聚丙烯基质中，那么应该可以在材料性能方面实现显着的改善。该项目团队包括DelStar(DS)、石墨烯生产商Thomas Swan(TS)、石墨烯功能化公司Haydale(HD)和布拉德福德大学(UOB)。这项研究的特定目标应用是一种特殊类型的滤网，它是通过挤出一层薄膜，在薄膜上压印图案，然后将其拉伸以产生孔来生产的。预计，通过在基础聚合物中引入少量的石墨烯，可以改善过滤网络的物理强度和运行温度等性能，这将使聚丙烯能够取代更昂贵和更致密的塑料。该项目将探索如何实现石墨烯血小板在塑料中的良好分散和剥离，而不会损坏它们，从而降低它们的益处。UOB的初步研究将侧重于使用不同类型的石墨烯(由TS生产并经HD改性)和一系列工艺条件的小型实验室规模挤压实验。经过表征后，最成功的化合物将被更大规模地生产并形成薄膜，这些薄膜可以拉伸以模拟工业过程。最后，在确定了最佳配方和工艺条件后，将生产一批工业规模的复合材料(100公斤)，并在DS进行生产试验。这些示范产品将提供给他们的客户，以获得目标市场的反馈。值得注意的是，这些新产品的整个供应链，包括石墨烯生产、复合、挤压/压花和滤芯制造将设在英国。

This project will investigate the use of Graphene to form a composite material with polypropylene, a widely used plastic. If Graphene platelets can be successfully dispersed within the polypropylene matrix then it should be possible to achieve significant improvements in material properties. The project team comprises Delstar (DS), Graphene producers Thomas Swan (TS), Graphene functionalisers Haydale (HD) and the University of Bradford (UoB). The particular target applicationfor this research is a special type of filtration net, which is produced by extruding a thin film layer, embossing a pattern onto the film and then stretching it to produce holes. It is anticipated that by introduction of a small percentage of Graphene into the base polymer, properties such as physical strength and operating temperature of the filtration nets can be improved, which will allow polypropylene to replace more expensive and denser plastics. The project will explore how to achieve a good dispersion and exfoliation of Graphene platelets within the plastic without damaging them and hence reducing their benefit. Initial studies at UoB will focus on small laboratory scale extrusionexperiments using different types of Graphene (produced by TS and modified by HD) and a range of process conditions. After characterisation, the most successful compounds will be produced on a bigger scale and formed into films, which can be stretched to mimic the industrial process. Finally, after the optimum formulation and process conditions have been determined, an industrial scale batch of composite material (100kg) will be produced and used in production trials at DS. These demonstrator products will be provided to their customers for feedback in target markets. Notably, the whole supply chain for these new products, including Graphene production, compounding, extrusion/embossing and filter cartridge manufacture will be based in the UK.