Graphene reinforced polyethylene terephthalate

Abstract

A composition and a method are provided for graphene reinforced polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) comprising multi-layer graphene are used to reinforce PET, thereby improving the properties of PET for various new applications. Master-batches comprising polyethylene terephthalate with dispersed graphene nanoplatelets are obtained by way of compounding. The master-batches are used to form PET-GNP nanocomposites at weight fractions ranging between 0.5% and 15%. In some embodiments, PET and GNPs are melt compounded by way of twin-screw extrusion. In some embodiments, ultrasound is coupled with a twin-screw extruder so as to assist with melt compounding. In some embodiments, the PET-GNP nanocomposites are prepared by way of high-speed injection molding. The PET-GNP nanocomposites are compared by way of their mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties so as to contrast different compounding processes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.