Biomimetic polymer composites with micro/nano‐scale brick‐and‐mortar structures show promise for advancing nacre‐like polymer bioins
Biomimetic polymer composites with micro/nano‐scale brick‐and‐mortar structures show promise for advancing nacre‐like polymer bioinspired nanocomposites. This study used a solvothermal method to graft MIL‐101 onto graphene oxide (GO), forming GO‐g‐MIL‐101. Subsequent heat treatments at 700 and 900°C under inert gas produced magnetic graphene nanosheets (GNS@Fe) with iron oxide particles. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) served as the matrix. PTT/GNS@Fe powders were prepared by coagulation then formed into bioinspired PTT/GNS@Fe and PTT/GNS@Fe‐m composites via solvent casting and hot pressing, yielding brick‐and‐mortar structures with and without magnetic alignment. PTT served as the soft phase and GNS@Fe as the hard phase. Rheological and conductivity analysis of PTT bioinspired composites, based on percolation theory, revealed microstructural changes. Results show that magnetic field assistance enhances GNS@Fe alignment in PTT/GNS@Fe‐m composites. With higher GNS@Fe content, reduced interlayer spacing creates a PTT‐GNS@Fe network, where nanoscale confinement limits PTT chain mobility, impacting crystallization. Low GNS@Fe levels promote crystallization, while high levels hinder it, with PTT unable to crystallize in nacre‐like composites above 40 wt% GNS@Fe. Additionally, we tested the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of the PTT/GNS@Fe bioinspired composite system, finding that the shielding efficiency of PTT/GNS@Fe‐m with 40 wt% filler, though affected in magnetism by processing, approaches commercial application levels. Highlights: Rheological and conductivity analysis via percolation theory.Percolation analysis revealed microstructures in the nacre‐like composite.Magnetic self‐assembly in PTT/GNS@Fe‐m led to more oriented structures.Higher GNS@Fe content reduced spacing, forming PTT‐GNS@Fe networks.Nanoconfinement and adsorption limited PTT chains, reducing crystallinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Polymer Composites is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted
Copyright of Polymer Composites is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
