The role of organic solvent and nano-additives loading in preparing and characterizing graphene oxide based polystyrene nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

In this work, two types of organic solvents: namely, dimethylformamide (DMF) and tetrahydrofuran (THF); were investigated individually to prepare graphene oxide (GO) based polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites. Both were effective exfoliation agents for GO nano-sheets using sonication process. However, DMF showed poor solubility for PS beads compared to THF due to its high boiling point, poor volatility, and the prevailing monomer–monomer interaction rather than monomer–solvent interaction. Hot pressing was not an efficient preparatory approach for those samples prepared by DMF. Hence, solution casting, and THF were adopted to prepare PS and its GO-based nanocomposites. (0.5 and 1.0) wt. % of GO were dispersed homogeneously in PS using different dispersive techniques. Range of properties were tested for the pure polymer and its GO-based nanocomposites prepared by THF. A good dispersion of GO nano-sheets in PS was observed by different microscopic techniques. A significant improvement of mechanical and thermo-mechanical (storage modulus) performances for the polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) were achieved compared to the pure polymer. Young’s modulus for PS/GO nanocomposites was improved by 122% and 143% for GO loadings of 0.5 and 1.0 wt. %; respectively, and storage modulus for the nanocomposites recorded a considerable promotion compared to the pure polymer.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Dimethylformamide
• graphene oxide
• polymer nanocomposites
• polystyrene
• tetrahydrofuran

Acknowledgments

The corresponding author would like to acknowledge his employer, The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research MOHESR in Iraq, and his academic institution, Department of Applied Science, University of Technology-Iraq, for the valuable support they provide.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), Iraq.

Notes on contributors

Zaid G. Mohammadsalih

Zaid G. Mohammadsalih

• PhD from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 2018, University of Sheffield, UK.

• 2008–till now: Academic lecturer and scientific researcher at Applied Science Research Unit, Applied Science Department, University of Technology-Iraq. Currently, carrying out postdoctoral studies at Advanced Engineering Materials and Composites Research Centre AEMC, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM under the supervision of Prof. Sapuan Bin Salit.

• Academic interest: Teaching, reviewing, and performing scientific research as a major part of postdoctoral studies. The major interest is revolving around materials science, polymer composites, polymer graphene nanocomposites.

• Current responsibilities: Performing collaboration in both national and international perspectives for academic dissemination purposes.

Vasi Uddin Siddiqui

Vasi Uddin Siddiqui

• PhD obtained in 2022 from Jamia Millia Islamia, India.

• 2022–till now: Performing postdoctoral studies at Advanced Engineering Materials and Composites Research Centre AEMC, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia UPM, the supervisor is Prof. Sapuan Bin Salit.

• Academic interest: Teaching, performing research activities, and reviewing research articles for prestigious academic journals. The major interest in materials science, nanomaterials, and environmental applications.

• Current responsibilities: Publishing research work as a part of postdoctoral studies, supervising undergraduates, and directing the new postgraduates.

S. M. Sapuan

S. M. Sapuan

• PhD in 1998 from De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.

• Head of the Engineering Composite Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, UPM (2009–2018). Head of Technology Bio-composite lab (INTROP) from (2014–2017). The head of Advanced Engineering Materials and Composites Research Centre AEMC at the Faculty of Engineering, University Putra Malaysia UPM.

• Academic interest: Teaching, supervising, and academic dissemination. The major field of interest: composite materials, bio-composite materials, engineering design, design for manufacturing, simultaneous design, design for sustainability, machination of bio-composite materials, and material selection.

• Current responsibilities: As a head of AEMC, he is supervising undergraduates, postgraduates, and postdoctoral researchers. He is an Honorary Member and Former Vice President of the Asian Polymer Association and an Honorary Member and Founding Manager of the Malaysian Enau Development and Industry Association (PPIEM).

• Sapuan is the co-editor-in-Chief of the journal Functional Composites and Structures, and a member of the editorial board of more than 24 journals.

• Sapuan is also currently the Chief Executive Editor for all Pertanika journals.