Enhanced mechanical properties of epoxy-matrix nanocomposites reinforced with graphene synthesized in atmospheric plasmas

Graphene can be synthesized in the gas phase using atmospheric plasmas. Gas-phase-synthesized graphene (GSG) possesses features that make it a promising filler material for enhancing the properties of polymers. In this study, epoxy-matrix nanocomposites reinforced with GSG were investigated. Mixing GSG with epoxy showed that the nanomaterial effectively disperses and resists aggregation in polymer resins. Significant increases in both strength and strain at break were revealed through the tensile testing of GSG-filled nanocomposites. In contrast, nanocomposites containing graphene nanoplatelets exhibited enhanced strength but diminished strain at break. Imaging of nanocomposite fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy indicated considerable matrix reinforcement by GSG. These results show that unique strengthening mechanisms exist in polymers reinforced with graphene synthesized in atmospheric plasmas.