Boosting the ultraviolet shielding and thermal retardancy properties of unsaturated polyester resin by employing electrochemically exfoliated e-GO nanosheets

In this work, a series of unsaturated polyester resin (UPRs)/electrochemically exfoliated graphene oxide (e-GO) polymer nanocomposites with different ratios of e-GO (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 wt%) were prepared via an in situ polymerization method. The surface morphology and structural and chemical properties of the original UPR and UPR/e-GO nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The positive influence of e-GO nanosheets on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and anti-UV aging performance of UPR/e-GO nanocomposites was demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The obtained results showed that the incorporation of e-GO nanosheets within the UPR matrix, despite the addition of e-GO at as low as 0.2 wt% comprehensively improves the advanced functional properties of UPR/e-GO nanocomposites as compared to the original UPR. In addition, artificial weathering testing of quartz-based artificial stone using UPR/e-GO 0.2 wt% showed excellent UV-resistant efficiency, supporting the use of e-GO nanosheets as an additive in manufacturing the industrial-scale UPRs-based artificial quartz stone samples for real outdoor applications.

High-Performance Biobased Unsaturated Polyester Nanocomposites with Very Low Loadings of Graphene

Graphene-reinforced tung oil (TO)-based unsaturated polyester nanocomposites were prepared via in situ melt polycondensation intergrated with Diels–Alder addition. Functionalized graphene sheets derived from graphene oxide (GO) were then extracted from the obtained nanocomposites and carefully characterized. Furthermore, dispersion state of the graphene nanosheets in the cured polymer composites and ultimate properties of the resultant biobased nanocomposites were investigated. Mechanical and thermal properties of the TO-based unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) were greatly improved by the incorporation of GO. For example, at the optimal GO content (only 0.10 wt %), the obtained biobased nanocomposite showed tensile strength and modulus of 43.2 MPa and 2.62 GPa, and T_g of 105.2 °C, which were 159%, 191%, and 49.4% higher than those of the unreinforced UPR/TO resin, respectively. Compared to neat UPR, the biobased UPR nanocomposite with 0.1 wt % of GO even demonstrated superior comprehensive properties (comparable stiffness and T_g, while better toughness and thermal stability). Therefore, the developed biobased UPR nanocomposites are very promising to be applied in structural plastics.

Facile and green preparation of biobased graphene oxide/furan resin nanocomposites with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties

A facile and green approach was developed to prepare biobased graphene oxide (GO)/furan resin nanocomposites by directly transferring GO from water dispersion into furan resin.

Tailoring base catalyzed synthesis of palm oil based alkyd resin through CuO nanoparticles

Palm oil based alkyd resin was synthesized by an alcoholysis–polyesterification process over a base catalyst tailored by copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles.

Physicochemical and micromechanical investigation of a nanocopper impregnated fibre reinforced nanocomposite

This paper outlines the synthesis of a novel sustainable nanocomposite and the investigation of its physicochemical and mechanical properties using micromechanical models.