R. Demoor, L.I. Silva, M. Sosa Morales, C.J. Perez, J.P. Tomba
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
In this study, we investigate the melting behavior and crystallization of nanocomposites of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a biodegradable polymer, with pristine graphene, an economically feasible filler widely available from natural sources. Nanocomposites with pristine graphene loads between 0.01 and 5 wt% were prepared via solvent casting and primarily probed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Conventional DSC shows that the presence of graphene increases PCL crystallinity. Non-isothermal crystallization was studied using Mo's model, whereas other parameters as Activation Energy and Nucleation Activity were obtained. It is shown that graphene increases crystallization rates acting as nucleant, with no signatures of retardant effects. Compared with other classic nano-loads, like ad-hoc modified bentonite also analyzed for comparison, pristine graphene is more effective as nucleant, which indicates that it is better dispersed in PCL. Analysis by Self Successive Annealing (SSA), also carried out by DSC, reveals that graphene hinders the formation of crystals with lamellar thickness above 7.3 nm, as found in regular PCL. It may indicate that molecular interactions between PCL and pristine graphene disrupts the movement of polymeric chains, consequently limiting lamellar growth. Evidence of such interaction is found by Infrared and Raman spectroscopies that reveal broadening of the carbonyl peak of PCL and alteration of G and D' bands of graphene.
期刊介绍:
Thermochimica Acta publishes original research contributions covering all aspects of thermoanalytical and calorimetric methods and their application to experimental chemistry, physics, biology and engineering. The journal aims to span the whole range from fundamental research to practical application.
The journal focuses on the research that advances physical and analytical science of thermal phenomena. Therefore, the manuscripts are expected to provide important insights into the thermal phenomena studied or to propose significant improvements of analytical or computational techniques employed in thermal studies. Manuscripts that report the results of routine thermal measurements are not suitable for publication in Thermochimica Acta.
The journal particularly welcomes papers from newly emerging areas as well as from the traditional strength areas:
- New and improved instrumentation and methods
- Thermal properties and behavior of materials
- Kinetics of thermally stimulated processes