Flexible and Highly Conductive Polyester-Graphene Nanocomposites

Electrically conductive nanocomposites composed of polymers and graphene have a broad range of impactful applications, such as flexible conductors, printable electronics, and energy storage devices. New knowledge on the relationships between the processing, structure, and electrical properties of polyester-matrix nanocomposites (PNCs) loaded with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) will be reported in this presentation. We will discuss the process of fabricating flexible GNP-filled PNCs and present the remarkable electrical properties of polyester resins containing GNP. Our results reveal how GNP flake dimensions can alter the resistivities and percolation thresholds of PNCs. Furthermore, we will show that the curing characteristics and loading limits of PNCs are influenced by the aspect ratios of graphitic flakes such as GNP, graphite, and reduced graphene oxide (RGO). We will also demonstrate that nanocomposites consisting of polyester and GNP exhibit electrical conductivities that cannot be attained in PNCs containing graphite, RGO, and Ketjen black. Therefore, this presentation will (1) advance our understanding of the processing-structure-property spectrum of graphene-filled thermosetting polymers and (2) illustrate feasible approaches for the manufacturing of applications for flexible and highly conductive polyester-GNP nanocomposites.<br/><br/>This study was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1943599.