Improving Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Antibacterial Poly(Phenylene Sulfide) Nanocomposites Reinforced with Nano Zinc Oxide-Decorated Graphene

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 15; no. 13; p. 2779
• Main Authors: Tsou, Chi-Hui, Du, Jian-Hua, Yao, Wei-Hua, Fu, Lei, Wu, Chin-San, Huang, Yuxia, Qu, Chang-Lei, Liao, Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 22.06.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Antibacterial agents; antibacterial nanocomposites; barrier performance; Carbon; Composite materials; Crystallization; E coli; Elongation; Ethanol; Graphene; Graphite; Heat conductivity; Hot pressing; Hydrogen bonds; Hydrogen embrittlement; Mechanical properties; Morphology; nano zinc oxide-decorated graphene (G-ZnO); Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nucleation; Polymers; polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); Polyphenylene sulfides; Polyphenylene sulphide; Spectrum analysis; Tensile strength; Tensile tests; Thermal stability; Thermogravimetric analysis; Water chemistry; Water vapor; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides; China; Beijing China; nano zinc oxide-decorated graphene (G-ZnO); polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); barrier performance; mechanical properties; antibacterial nanocomposites
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym15132779

Nano zinc oxide-decorated graphene (G-ZnO) was blended with polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) to improve its tensile, thermal, crystalline, and barrier properties. The properties of neat PPS and PPS/G-ZnO nanocomposites were characterized and compared using various tests, including tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, evaluation of Escherichia coli inhibition, and barrier performance. The results demonstrated that G-ZnO played a crucial role in heterogeneous nucleation and reinforcement. When the concentration of G-ZnO was 0.3%, the tensile strength, elongation at break, thermostability, crystallinity, and water vapor permeability coefficients (WVPC) approached their maximum values, and the microscopic morphology changed from the original brittle fracture to a relatively tough fracture. In addition, when G-ZnO was added to PPS at a ratio of 0.3%, the tensile strength, elongation at break, and WVPC of PPS were increased by 129%, 150%, and 283%, respectively, compared to pure PPS. G-ZnO endowed the nanocomposites with antibacterial properties. The improvement in barrier performance can be attributed to three reasons: (1) the presence of G-ZnO extended the penetration path of molecules; (2) the coordination and hydrogen bonds between PPS polymer matrix and G-ZnO nanofiller narrowed the H O transmission path; and (3) due to its more hydrophobic surface, water molecules were less likely to enter the interior of PPS/G-ZnO nanocomposites. This study provides valuable insights for developing high-performance PPS-based nanocomposites for various applications.