Graphene/Hyperbranched Polymer Nanocomposites: Insight from Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Mechanical Properties of Solution-Blended Graphene Nanoplatelets/Polyether-Ether-Ketone Nanocomposites

A lightweight composite with outstanding damping effects and impact resistance is significant for the design of functional structures in advanced equipment, such as aircraft and space vehicles. In this paper, the mechanical properties of solution-blended graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)/polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) nanocomposites were characterized by both experimental and numerical methods. It can be found that the layer number and packing configuration of graphene layers are critical to the efficiency of energy dissipation in the composite, while a pack of six- layer graphene and the perpendicular arrangement to the shockwave direction provide the most outstanding energy dissipation ability. The reflection of shockwave caused by graphene reinforcements in the nanocomposite was found to be the dominating reason for the enhanced energy dissipation effect. Physical mechanisms of energy dissipation are investigated by a molecular modeling method to provide insights into the cross-scale design of graphene-reinforced nanocomposites as structural materials.

Self-assembly of diphenylalanine peptides on graphene via detailed atomistic simulations

The self-assembly of diphenylalanine peptides (FF) on a graphene layer, in aqueous solution, is investigated, through all atom molecular dynamics simulations. Two interfacial systems are studied, with different concentrations of dipeptides and the results are compared with an aqueous solution of FF at room temperature. Corresponding length and time scales of the formed structures are quantified providing important insight into the adsorption mechanism of FF onto the graphene surface. A hierarchical formation of FF structures is observed involving two sequential processes: first, a stabilized interfacial layer of dipeptides onto the graphene surface is formulated, which next is followed by the development of a structure of self-aggregated dipeptides on top of this layer. The whole procedure is completed in almost 200 ns, whereas self-assembly in the system without graphene is accomplished much faster; in less than 50 ns cylindrical structures, the microscopic signal of the macroscopic fibrillar ones, are formed. Strong π-π* interactions between FF and the graphene lead to a parallel orientation to the graphene layer of the phenyl rings within a characteristic time of 80 ns, similar to the one indicated by the time evolution of the number of adsorbed FF atoms at the surface. Reduction in the number of hydrogen bonds between FF peptides is observed because of the graphene layer, since it disturbs their self-assembly propensity. The self-assembly of dipeptides and their adsorption onto the graphene surface destruct the hydrogen bond network of water, in the vicinity of FF, however, the total number of hydrogen bonds in all systems increases, promoting the formed structures.

Investigation of the properties of nanographene in polymer nanocomposites through molecular simulations: dynamics and anisotropic Brownian motion

The dynamical behavior of nanographene sheets dispersed in polymer matrices is investigated through united-atom molecular dynamics simulations. The Brownian motion of the sheet and the anisotropy in its translational and orientational diffusion are the topics of the current study. Different polymer matrices and pristine and functionalized graphene constitute various nanocomposite systems. Interactions between the nanographene flake and the matrix determine the dynamics of the systems. The dynamics is reduced in polyethylene oxide compared to polyethylene matrix, whereas carboxylated sheets move considerably slower than the pristine nanographene in any matrix. Diffusion is anisotropic for short times, while it becomes isotropic in the long time limit. The in-plane motion of the nanographene sheet is faster than the out-of-plane component, in agreement with the diffusion of perfectly oblate ellipsoids. In functionalized graphene, the anisotropy is suppressed. By exploring the temperature effect on both the nanographene sheet and polymer close to the surface, indications for coupling in the motion of the two components are revealed. The strong effect of edge functional groups on the dynamics can be used as a way to control the Brownian motion of nanographene sheets in polymer nanocomposites and consequently tailor the properties of the materials.

A microscopic view of graphene-oxide/poly(acrylic acid) physical hydrogels: effects of polymer charge and graphene oxide loading

In this work we have examined in detail by means of fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, physical hydrogels formed by a polymer electrolyte, poly(acrylic acid), and graphene oxide, at two different charging states of the polymer and two different graphene oxide concentrations. It was found that variations of these parameters incurred drastic changes in general morphological characteristics of the composite materials, the degree of physical adsorption of polyelectrolyte chains onto the graphene oxide surface, the polymer dynamic response at local and global length scales, in the charge distributions around the components, and in the mobility of the counterions. All these microscopic features are expected to significantly affect macroscopic physical properties of the hydrogels, such as their mechanical responses and their electrical behaviors.

Tailoring the dispersion of nanoparticles and the mechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites by designing the chain architecture

The dispersion of nanoparticles with different polymer–nanoparticle interaction strengths and chain architectures.

Adsorption of poly(ethylene succinate) chain onto graphene nanosheets: A molecular simulation

Understanding the interaction between single polymer chain and graphene nanosheets at local and global length scales is essential for it underlies the mesoscopic properties of polymer nanocomposites. A computational attempt was then performed using atomistic molecular dynamics simulation to gain physical insights into behavior of a model aliphatic polyester, poly(ethylene succinate), single chain near graphene nanosheets, where the effects of the polymer chain length, graphene functionalization, and temperature on conformational properties of the polymer were studied comparatively. Graphene functionalization was carried out through extending the parameters set of an all-atom force field. The results showed a significant conformational transition of the polymer chain from three-dimensional statistical coil, in initial state, to two-dimensional fold, in final state, during adsorption on graphene. The conformational order, overall shape, end-to-end separation statistics, and mobility of the polymer chain were found to be influenced by the graphene functionalization, temperature, and polymer chain length. Furthermore, the polymer chain dynamics mode during adsorption on graphene was observed to transit from normal diffusive to slow subdiffusive mode. The findings from this computational study could shed light on the physics of the early stages of aliphatic polyester chain organization induced by graphene.

Characterization of a graphene oxide/poly(acrylic acid) nanocomposite by means of molecular dynamics simulations

Graphene oxide/poly(acrylic acid) nanocomposite: static, dynamic, thermal properties and hydrogen bonding, as studied by molecular dynamics simulations.

Effect of chemical structure of elastomer on filler dispersion and interactions in silica/solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber composites through molecular dynamics simulation

The dynamic properties, filler–rubber interactions, and filler dispersion in silica/SSBR composites with various chemical structures of SSBR were studied using MD. Competing effects led to the existence of an optimum modifier content of 14.2 wt%.

Revealing the toughening mechanism of graphene-polymer nanocomposite through molecular dynamics simulation

By employing united atom molecular dynamics simulation, we have investigated the effects of polymer-graphene interaction ε(np) volume fraction of grapheme φ thermodynamics of polymer matrix (rubbery versus glassy), interfacial interaction in the case of the same dispersion state, shape of nanoparticles (NPs) such as C60 CNT and graphene at the same loading on the toughening efficiency of polymer nanocomposites. By beginning with the pure polymer, we observe that a plateau stress occurs at long chain length because entangled polymer chains in fibrils cannot become broken. We find that the work needed to dissipate during the failure increases with the increase of ε(np) and φ and the yield point in the stress-strain behavior occurs at a smaller strain for an attractive NPs filled system compared to the pure case, attributed to the more mechanically heterogeneous environment. The thermodynamics of the polymer matrix (below and above Tg) seems to have a significant effect on the toughening efficiency of graphene sheets. In the case of the same dispersion state, stronger interfacial interaction always induces long and highly orientated polymer fibrils along the deformation direction, with graphene sheets being encapsulated in these fiber-like bundles. By characterizing the interaction energy between polymer-polymer and polymer-graphene as a function of the strain, we find that the separation of polymer chains from the graphene sheets cease immediately after the yield point, followed by the continuous propagation of the cavities by excluding surrounded polymer chains and graphene sheets together. We also find that at the same attractive interfacial interaction and same loading, the toughening efficiency exhibits the following order: graphene > CNT > C60 Generally, the toughening mechanism of graphene sheets results from the formation of long and highly orientated polymer fibrils to prevent the occurrence of the rupture, which can be greatly improved by the strong interfacial interaction and the large surface area compared to CNT and C60 This also indicates that polymer matrices with high flexibility and mobility of polymer chains tend to be better toughened. It is hoped that this simulation work will provide rational guidance for fabricating high performance of polymer nanocomposites with excellent toughness.