Impact of Multilayered Graphene Nanoplatelets on 3D-molecular Network of an Epoxy Resin

Multi-layered graphene nanoplatelets (MLGNP) have been synthesized by ultrasonically-assisted electro-chemical technique and filler-loading effects in physical properties of ED-20 epoxy filled with MLGNP have been experimentally and theoretically studied. The filler’s loading varied as 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0% by mass. A number of physical parameters of the neat resin and its MLGNP-nanocomposites have been measured by using various techniques. The parameters include thermal resistivity, thermal conductivity, elastic modules, dielectric permittivity, and positron-annihilation life-times. Also, both elastic modules and thermal conductivity have been evaluated by using the equilibrium molecular dynamic simulation approach. Loading dependences of the parameters have proved to be unmonotonous. The physical reasons underlying loading effects observed have been discussed.