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Effect of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets on thermal and heat deflection properties of kenaf polypropylene hybrid nanocomposites

Abstract Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) polypropylene (PP)/kenaf fiber (KF) hybrid nanocomposites (PP/KF/MAPP/GNP collectively presented as PKMG) were developed through melt extrusion using a co-rotating screw speed extruder. The loadings of GNPs in nanocomposites were varied from 1–5 phr and characterized for thermal conductivity, stability and behavior, morphology, and heat deflection temperature (HDT). Results revealed increasing effective thermal conductivity with increasing inclusion of GNP. This behavior was attributed to the formation of thermally conductive, interconnected, sheets of GNP which enhanced heat dissipation. Thermal stability analysis revealed high thermal residue content at 3 phr loading attributed to uniform dispersion of GNP sheets in polymer matrix and the formation of enhanced oxygen-barrier due to effective char formation. Results also revealed enhanced HDT (0.46 MPa/1.8 MPa) with increasing incorporation of GNP ascribed to high modulus and thermal stability of GNP sheets. This implies capability of material to sustain loading at high temperatures without losing its rigidity. Thermal behavior revealed increased crystallization temperature and reduced degree of crystallization with slight increase in melting temperature in the range of 2–5°C. Morphological analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed exfoliated and uniform dispersion of graphene in matrix polymer at 3 phr loading.