pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S06 - Polymer Nanocomposites
Oral Presentation
 
 

Morphology and Properties of PA/POE Blends containing Graphene

Hadaeghnia Milad (1), Ghasemi Ismael (2), Ahmadi Shervin (2), Wood-Adams Paula (1)*

(1) Concordia University - Quebec - Canada, (2) Polymer and Petrochemical Institute - Tehran - Iran

The incorporation of nanoparticles is an effective strategy to tailor morphology and properties of polymer blends. In order to decrease the percolation threshold of graphene nano-platelets (GNP) in polyamide 6/poly olefin elastomer blends and obtain good electrical properties, we manipulate the morphology to induce a co-continuous structure. FE-SEM micrographs revealed the GNP was located either at the interface or within the dispersed domains depending on POE molecular weight. The addition of a small amount of GNP resulted in larger, elongated POE domains. At higher levels of GNP, the dispersed phase morphology eventually transitioned into a co-continuous like morphology. A transition from liquid-like to solid-like behavior was observed in the linear viscoelastic data at very low levels of GNP, correlating to the formation of a localized GNP network structure and the elongated domain shape. Similarly, the electrical conductivity of blends sharply increased with GNP content.