Functional Composite Materials最新文献

{"title":"Decoupling between water absorption and radial expansion in bio-SAP cores of Typha domingensis for natural geocomposites","authors":"Luiz Diego Vidal Santos,&nbsp;Emersson Guedes da Silva,&nbsp;Francisco Sandro Rodrigues Holanda,&nbsp;Marcos Oliveira Santos,&nbsp;Marçal Rodrigues Marçal,&nbsp;Cicero inácio da Silva Filho,&nbsp;Eliana Midori Sussuchi,&nbsp;Renisson Neponuceno de Araújo Filho","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00113-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00113-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Natural composites for slope protection must act as water-retentive interfaces while preserving geometry under prolonged wetting, yet most superabsorbent systems used in soil applications are granular or substrate-mixed and do not resolve the coupling between uptake and swelling in a continuous core. This study quantifies the decoupling between water absorption and radial expansion in continuous superabsorbent biopolymer (Bio-SAP) cores of <i>Typha domingensis</i> over 480 h of saturation, comparing an integral fiber-reinforced composite (N1) with a concentrated polymer-matrix variant (N2) and a consolidated particulate-matrix variant (N3). An unconsolidated plant aggregate (N4) was included as a basal thermal control. Scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, transmission FTIR spectroscopy, prolonged immersion, gamma generalized linear modeling, exploratory OLS regression and static puncture testing were integrated to relate interfacial consolidation, sorption, deformation, thermal stability and handling resistance. N1 retained up to 474.2% moisture at mean radial expansions between 2.0% and 5.0%, sustaining a hydrofunctional efficiency of 174 to 292 percentage points of absorption per percentage point of diametral swelling, against 80 to 268 in N2 and 68 to 274 in N3. Across the saturation plateau, N1 and N2 showed similar mean water retention, with 401.1% and 401.4%, whereas N3 retained 349.5%; mean radial expansion was 3.4% in N1 against 6.8% in N2 and 6.6% in N3 (<span>(p &lt; 0.001)</span>). OLS slopes between absorption and radial expansion were non-significant in all formulations (<span>(R^2 leq 0.012)</span>), indicating that retained water did not propagate linearly into diametral deformation after equilibrium uptake. Thermogravimetry showed that polymer consolidation suppresses the low-temperature degradation step of the raw biomass, raising the temperature of 5% mass loss from 195.8 <span>({}^circtextrm{C})</span> in N4 to between 252.4 <span>({}^circtextrm{C})</span> and 261.9 <span>({}^circtextrm{C})</span> in N1–N3, while the main pyrolysis maximum remained near 324 <span>({}^circtextrm{C})</span> in every consolidated formulation. Transmission FTIR spectroscopy showed a dose-dependent rise in the aliphatic C–H to cellulose C–O–C band ratio, from 0.35 to 0.89, at an invariant lignin aromatic ratio, indicating polymer deposition without degradation of the cell-wall constituents. The puncture resistance of N1 reached 1633 N (Weibull <span>(beta = 4.46)</span>), with a conservative <span>(P_{10})</span> of 1078 N. The results indicate that fibrillar architecture governs deformation anisotropy and converts water uptake into functional storage rather than radial swelling, supporting continuous Bio-SAP cores as hydroretentive components for natural geocomposites within the laboratory saturation window tested.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00113-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149338364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Waste-derived aluminosilicate reinforcements in copper matrix composites for tribological applications: a critical review and future perspectives","authors":"Sehinde Happiness Saheyi,&nbsp;Saliu Ojo Seidu","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00114-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00114-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Copper matrix composites (CMCs) have attracted considerable attention for advanced tribological materials. They combine copper’s excellent thermal and electrical conductivity with enhanced mechanical and wear performance from the reinforcing phase. Copper’s relatively low hardness and poor wear resistance limit its application under severe sliding conditions. This review critically examines recent advances in waste-derived aluminosilicate-reinforced copper matrix composites, with particular attention to calcined clay-derived metakaolin (MK) as an underexplored potential reinforcement. This review critically analyzes peer-reviewed articles published from 2020 to 2026 within the processing, microstructure, and tribological performance framework. To examine relationships among reinforcement parameters, microstructural evolution, fabrication routes, interfacial phenomena, wear mechanisms, and resulting mechanical, tribological, and functional performance. Although conventional ceramic reinforcements such as SiC, Al₂O₃, and TiC can enhance the mechanical and wear performance of copper composites, their production and processing increase the cost, energy, and environmental considerations. Waste-derived aluminosilicates such as fly ash (FA) and rice husk ash (RHA) offer waste valorization benefits and also reduce the dependency on conventional ceramic feedstocks. Metakaolin (MK) is a compositionally related option with a less experimentally established reinforcement pathway, whose performance in a Cu matrix needs direct validation. For example, increasing FA from 0 to 20 wt.% in a representative Cu–FA system increased hardness from 69 to 145 HV and reduced wear rate from 908 × 10⁻⁵ to 479 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/m and COF from 0.55 to 0.35, but reduced electrical conductivity from 80 to 32% IACS. Particle agglomeration, poor wettability, weak interfacial bonding, residual porosity, feedstock and processing variability, and concerns about the retention of copper’s inherent conductivity are the major challenges that continue to limit their broad application. Priority research needs include direct validation of Cu-MK systems, interface engineering, long-term tribological performance, reinforcement optimization, hybrid reinforcement systems, conductivity-performance trade-off assessment, and computationally assisted materials design. Overall, this review provides a materials science perspective for designing aluminosilicate-reinforced Cu composite through integration of processing, microstructure, tribological performance, functional property retention, and evidence of maturity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00114-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149338298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving the inter-laminar fracture behaviour of hemp/epoxy composites under mode-II loading using alkali treated fiber and CNT modified matrix: an emphasis at different in-situ elevated temperatures","authors":"Devalingam Santhosh Kumar,&nbsp;Makkuva Tarak Ram,&nbsp;Rohith Gandi,&nbsp;Suvvada Hariprasad,&nbsp;Tanmay Bhattacharyya,&nbsp;Rajesh Kumar Prusty","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00112-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00112-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Hemp fiber reinforced epoxy composites are increasingly being explored for lightweight structural and semi-structural applications, particularly in automotive and construction sectors, although their delamination resistance and temperature-dependent performance remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates the interlaminar fracture toughness of epoxy composites reinforced with untreated hemp fabrics (i.e., UTHE), treated hemp fabrics (i.e., THE), and treated hemp fabrics reinforced with 0.2 wt% CNT-incorporated epoxy composites (i.e., 0.2% CNT-THE) at room temperature (RT), 50 °C, and 70 °C. The G_IIC of 0.2% CNT-THE was higher than UTHE by ~ 80%, ~ 96%, ~ 86% at RT, 50 °C, 70 °C, respectively. This indicates the synergistic influence of alkali treatment of hemp fabrics and CNT addition to epoxy on the G_IIC. As temperature increased from RT to 50 °C, the G_IIC of UTHE, THE and 0.2% CNT-THE dropped by ~ 23%, ~ 38%, and ~ 16%, respectively. Surprisingly, as temperature increased from RT to 70 °C, the G_IIC of all the UTHE, THE and 0.2% CNT-THE dropped by ~ 64%. THE composites were more sensitive to high temperatures due to the lower T_g as determined from differential scanning calorimetry. The improvement in fracture toughness resulting from effect of alkali treatment which removes impurities from fiber surface and addition of CNTs which bridges the cracks and arrests the river lines besides enhancing the stress transfer from epoxy to hemp fiber as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, supported by contact angle measurement.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00112-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Review: design, function, and translation of next-generation nanocomposite materials for energy conversion and storage applications","authors":"Palraj Kalimuthu,&nbsp;Ganesan Anushya,&nbsp;Vinitha Mariyappan,&nbsp;Pitchaimani Veerakumar,&nbsp;Mohammed Mujahid Alam,&nbsp;Rasu Ramachandran,&nbsp;Kandasamy Muthusamy","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00111-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00111-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The urgent transition towards sustainable energy technologies has intensified interest in nanocomposite materials that combine complementary physicochemical properties beyond those achievable with individual components. By integrating multiple nanoscale constituents, nanocomposites enable tailoring of electrical, mechanical, thermal, and interfacial properties, making them promising materials for next-generation energy technologies. This review critically examines recent advances in the rational design, synthesis, and characterisation of nanocomposites for energy conversion, including solar cells and fuel cells, and energy storage, including supercapacitors (SCs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This review emphasises structure–interface–property–performance relationships and the mechanisms by which nanocomposite architecture influences charge and ion transport, reaction kinetics, structural stability, and device performance. Beyond summarising recent developments, this review critically evaluates emerging material architectures, interfacial engineering strategies, and scalable fabrication approaches, together with the trade-offs between laboratory-scale performance and practical implementation. Finally, it assesses key challenges related to long-term durability, reproducibility, cost, environmental sustainability, and end-of-life considerations. Future research priorities are proposed to guide the development of nanocomposite materials towards durable, scalable, and sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00111-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measuring longitudinal elastic modulus of bamboo through free vibration approach","authors":"Yong X. Gan,&nbsp;Kexin Deng,&nbsp;Kevin C. Gan,&nbsp;Hein Htet,&nbsp;Chuan-Chiang Chen","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00110-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00110-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bamboo as a natural fiber reinforced composite material possesses anisotropic mechanical properties. The highest strength and stiffness are found when bamboo was loaded along the longitudinal direction of fibers. Therefore, evaluating the elastic modulus of bamboo along its longitudinal direction is necessary for structural design. In this work, a nondestructive, dynamic testing method of free vibration was used to measure the elastic constant of bamboo in the longitudinal direction. Specimens with various lengths were tested under bending vibration conditions to determine the damped frequencies and damped periods through the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Then, the fundamental solution to the Euler-Bernoulli equation for free vibration was used to calculate the elastic moduli. It is found that the moduli of elasticity for specimens with various lengths were in the range from 14.1 to 16.7 GPa under two different loading configurations. The static tests by three-point bending produced elastic modulus results of as received bamboo: 14.24 ± 0.57 GPa for loading configuration 1 and 14.58 ± 0.08 GPa under loading configuration 2. The elastic moduli varied from as low as 11 to as high as 19 GPa depending on the moisture contents and testing methods. It is concluded that both static and dynamic tests delivered close elastic modulus values. The dynamic test results are slightly higher than the static ones due to the deformation rate effect. Moisture content in bamboo has significant effect on the stiffness of the composite. The higher the moisture content, the lower the stiffness of the bamboo. The overall deviation of the dynamic testing for determining the elastic modulus is about 5.74% considering the errors from geometry, density, and frequency measurements.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00110-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comparative assessment of electrical reliability in screen-printed nonwoven substrates: Evolon versus Tyvek","authors":"Abdelwahad Maarouf,&nbsp;Hasnaa Boudarbala,&nbsp;Rachid Cherouaki,&nbsp;Mohamed Eddahby","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00109-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00109-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The structural integrity and electrical reliability of wearable electronics heavily depend on the physical properties of the underlying substrate. While previous research established a theoretical framework for modeling electrical degradation in specific printed nonwovens, this study expands that scope by providing a comprehensive comparative analysis of two distinct substrates: Evolon and Tyvek. Three silver-based conductive inks with different rheological characteristics (according to manufacturers’ data) were screen-printed onto both materials to evaluate their performance under the mechanical stress of repeated washing cycles. We applied a longitudinal damage model to quantify the progressive degradation of the transmission lines. The experimental findings reveal a significant contrast in failure mechanisms dictated by the substrate’s architecture. Although Tyvek exhibited lower initial Direct Current (DC) resistance, the printed circuits on this substrate suffered catastrophic electrical failure during the washing tests. Conversely, the porous, hydro-entangled structure of Evolon facilitated better ink integration, resulting in a measurable, progressive damage evolution that depended on the ink formulation. This comparative assessment underscores the critical role of substrate-ink compatibility in maintaining electrical stability and provides a predictive approach for designing durable, washable e-textiles.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00109-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A bibliometric-guided review of circular design and sustainable processing of plant fibre-based vegan leather","authors":"Subashini Balakrishnan,&nbsp;Wickramasinghe G.L.D,&nbsp;Gunasekara U.S.W,&nbsp;Herath C.N","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00106-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00106-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Growing environmental concerns, ethical considerations, and the increasing demand for sustainable materials have accelerated the development of plant fibre-based vegan leather as a promising alternative to conventional animal leather. Most vegan leather materials are engineered as composite structures in which reinforcing plant fibre substrates provide the mechanical strength, flexibility, and durability required for practical applications. As the reinforcement material largely determines the overall performance and application potential of these composites, this review aims to critically evaluate global research trends, emerging themes, and knowledge gaps in plant fibre-based vegan leather through a bibliometric-guided analysis. Publications published between 2012 and 2025 were retrieved from Lens.org, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and analysed using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, author collaborations, institutional contributions, and thematic evolution. The analysis revealed a substantial increase in research activity, particularly between 2019 and 2022, reflecting growing scientific interest in sustainable biomaterials. Hemp and jute remain the most extensively investigated reinforcement fibres, whereas pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) has emerged as a promising material with considerable innovation potential. Research has increasingly focused on sustainability, biotechnology, bio-based composites, material performance, circular economy principles, and environmentally responsible textile processing. However, the field continues to show limited integration of socio-economic, policy, and industrial perspectives, while collaborative research networks remain relatively centralized. This review identifies critical research gaps related to life cycle assessment, fabrication process standardization, performance benchmarking, and industrial scalability. By integrating bibliometric evidence with critical analysis, this review identifies current research trends, knowledge gaps, and future directions for the development of sustainable plant fibre-based leather technologies.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00106-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148986427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of pretreatment methods on electrodeposition of magnetic Fe-Co coatings on carbon fibres","authors":"Nisha Poonia,&nbsp;Oliver Henry Schmidt,&nbsp;Thomas Mehner,&nbsp;Anja Winkler,&nbsp;Shengqiang Zhou,&nbsp;Maik Gude,&nbsp;Thomas Lampke","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00108-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00108-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Magnetically responsive carbon fibres that can be actively aligned during composite manufacturing are of interest for improving the load bearing applications of fibre-reinforced lightweight structures. This work investigates thermal and chemical pretreatment methods to remove the epoxy sizing layer and enable a uniform galvanic coating with Fe-Co. Since the epoxy-based sizing layer on commercial carbon fibres limits wettability and prevents uniform metal deposition, its removal is essential for successful coating. To address this, thermal pretreatment was carried out between 350 °C and 500 °C in air while chemical pretreatment involved acetone and nitric acid. Thermal treatment in air progressively improves fibre dispersibility with increasing temperature above 450 °C. Acetone treatment produces only minor improvements, whereas acid treatment enhanced dispersibility by oxidising the fibre surface and increasing its polarity. Limited coating coverage is obtained after low-temperature thermal treatment and acetone treatment, while fibres pretreated thermally at 450–500 °C show continuous and uniform coatings. Acid treatment further improves coating coverage compared with acetone but remains less effective than thermal desizing. The resulting Fe-Co coatings had an average thickness of approximately 1 μm with an average composition of 64% Fe and 36% Co. The magnetic properties of the Fe-Co coatings are described by its low coercivity (approximately 30 Oe) and high saturation magnetisation (approximately 80 emu/g). Overall, thermal desizing at 450 °C and above proved to be the most effective pretreatment for producing homogeneous magnetic Fe-Co coatings on carbon fibres.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00108-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of chemical fiber treatments on physical and tensile properties of Rhectophyllum camerunense fibers/ cassava starch biocomposites","authors":"Noutegomo Boris,&nbsp;Lonji Leonard Bolack","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00101-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00101-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the influence of chemical fiber treatments alkaline (NaOH), benzoylation, and acetylation on the physical and tensile properties of RC fiber/ cassava starch biocomposites. RC fibers were extracted using mechanical lamination followed by water retting, then chemically modified to reduce hydroxyl group activity and enhance fiber–matrix adhesion. We also extracted starch from bitter cassava. Treated and untreated fibers were mixed with cassava starch (CS) through melt blending and compression molding. Physical testing were evaluated by mesuring Water absorption, density, solubility and biodegradability of different biocomposites while tensile performance was assessed via Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The results indicated that chemical treatments significantly reduced moisture uptake and improved interfacial bonding. Alkali-treated composites exhibited an 18% increase in tensile strength, while acetylated fiber composites showed a 32% reduction in water absorption compared to untreated composites. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of chemical surface modification in enhancing the durability and performance of RC/cassava starch biocomposites, highlighting their potential for applications in automotive components, packaging, and sustainable construction materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00101-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Balancing mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelet filled HDPE","authors":"Reza Salehiyan,&nbsp;Stephen A. Hodge,&nbsp;Steven Huband,&nbsp;Tony McNally","doi":"10.1186/s42252-026-00107-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42252-026-00107-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Composites of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were prepared by melt mixing and the effect of nanoplatelet geometry, (GNP-1, larger lateral size; nominal &lt; 26.5 μm) and GNP-2 (smaller lateral size; nominal &lt; 10 μm) and processing regime on mechanical properties studied. Increasing GNP-1 content had a pronounced stiffening effect at higher loadings (&gt; 6 wt%), with tensile modulus increasing from ~ 1.40 GPa (neat HDPE) to ~ 3.55 GPa at 30 wt% (an increase of ~ 154%) and tensile strength rising by ~ 33% to ~ 35.5 MPa. Conversely, impact strength decreases continuously from ~ 28.5 to ~ 9.0 kJ m⁻² with increasing GNP loading (~ 68% decrease), while ductility shows a non-monotonic response. Elongation at break peaks at ~ 385% at 0.5 wt% and declines to ~ 40% at 30 wt% loading. The mechanical trends are consistent with interfacial slip-dominated deformation at low (&lt; 6 wt%) GNP-1 loadings, whereas such mechanisms contribute less under rapid, crack-driven notched impact loading. At a fixed loading (1.25 wt%), platelet type strongly influences post-yield behaviour. HDPE/GNP-2 and HDPE/GNP-1 exhibit similar modulus (~ 1.4 GPa), yet elongation increases by 234% for HDPE/GNP-2 relative to HDPE/GNP-1, coinciding with an increase in crystallinity (from 72.5% to 76%). Additive selection further improves extensibility at constant GNP-1 content (1.25 wt%), the inclusion of a (PVCL–PVAc–PEG) copolymer when combined with a slip-agent (cis-13-docosenamide) results in an increase elongation (~ 150% to ~ 350%) without losses in tensile modulus and strength. Overall, the additive-enabled ductility enhancement is consistent with stabilization of necking and drawing under quasi-static tension via time-dependent interfacial shear and platelet sliding/pull-out in layered fracture regions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":576,"journal":{"name":"Functional Composite Materials","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42252-026-00107-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}