Nanocomposite additives based on graphene sheets and silica nanofibers
A method for producing a composite polymeric article, an additive for a polymeric article, and a composite polymeric article are provided. The method generally includes providing a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets, providing a plurality of silica nanofibers, providing a polymeric material, and distributing the plurality of silica nanofibers and the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets within the polymeric material to achieve a composite article. The additive for a polymeric article includes a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets and a plurality of silica nanofibers. The composite polymeric article includes a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets, a plurality of silica nanofibers, and a polymeric matrix. The plurality of graphene nanoplatelets and the plurality of silica nanofibers are distributed within the polymeric matrix. The silica nanofibers have a mean cross sectional diameter of not more than 100 nm.
1. A method of producing a composite polymeric article comprising:
providing a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets;
providing a plurality of silica nanofibers, wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers have a mean cross sectional diameter of not more than 100 nm;
providing a polymeric material; and
distributing the plurality of silica nanofibers and the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets within the polymeric material to achieve a composite article.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers are fabricated by electrospinning of a sol-gel precursor.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the sol-gel precursor is prepared by hydrolysis of a silicate in the presence of a catalyst, an amphiphilic polymer, and a solvent.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers are calcinated and modified to generate hydrophobicity.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers are modified with a silane.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers and the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets are distributed within the polymeric material by solution blending.
7. A composite polymeric article comprising:
a plurality of graphene nanoplatelets;
a plurality of silica nanofibers, wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers have a mean cross sectional diameter of not more than 100 nm; and
a polymeric matrix, wherein the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets and the plurality of silica nanofibers are distributed within the polymeric matrix.
8. The article of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets constitutes less than 1 percent by volume of the composite polymeric article.
9. The article of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of graphene nanoplatelets constitutes less than 5 percent by weight of the polymeric matrix.
10. The article of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers constitutes between 20 percent and 25 percent of the volume of the composite polymeric article.
11. The article of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of silica nanofibers constitutes less than approximately 20 percent by weight of the polymeric matrix.
12. The article of claim 7 , wherein the polymeric matrix is an elastomeric polymer.
13. The article of claim 12 , wherein the polymeric matrix is a styrene-butadiene rubber.
14. The article of claim 7 , wherein the composite polymeric article comprises additional fillers.
15. The article of claim 7 , wherein the composite polymeric article is a tire or an element thereof, a mechanical belt or an element thereof, a bumper or an element thereof, a shoe sole or an element thereof, a damper or an element thereof, or a shock mount or an element thereof.