Abstract

Polymer-based multifunctional materials reinforced with graphene represent a step forward due to the combination of good structural properties with others of different nature such us electrical conductivity. These new systems are good candidates for applications in the transportation industry provided that the nanofiller is well-dispersed within the matrix and there is a good interaction between the fibre and the polymer. The aim of this work is the study of the nanostructure and the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) and graphene with concentrations in the range of 0.9 to 2.6 vol.%. The nanostructure of the composites was investigated by wide angle x-ray scattering and the local mechanical properties were assessed by nanoindentation. On the one hand, nanoindentation studies revealed a good distribution of the nanofiller within the polymer matrix. On the other hand, an enhancement of the mechanical properties by the incorporation of graphene was found. This mechanical improvement was attributed to the intrinsic properties of graphene while there were no clear differences in the nanostructure of the nanocomposites compared to that of neat PP. Finally, comparison of the moduli from nanoindentation and tensile testing allowed the understanding of the mechanism of deformation of these materials under external stresses of different nature.