PMID- 32369956 OWN - NLM STAT- PubMed-not-MEDLINE LR - 20200928 IS - 1996-1944 (Print) IS - 1996-1944 (Electronic) IS - 1996-1944 (Linking) VI - 13 IP - 9 DP - 2020 May 1 TI - Characterization of Wood and Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) Reinforced Polymer Composites. LID - 10.3390/ma13092089 [doi] LID - 2089 AB - This paper investigates the utilization of commercial masterbatches of graphene nanoplatelets to improve the properties of neat polymer and wood fiber composites manufactured by conventional processing methods. The effect of aspect ratio of the graphene platelets (represented by the different number of layers in the nanoplatelet) on the properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is discussed. The composites were characterized for their mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, impact) and physical characteristics (morphology, crystallization, and thermal stability). The effect of the addition of nanoplatelets on the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the reinforced polymer with different contents of reinforcement was also investigated. In general, the mechanical performance of the polymer was enhanced at the presence of either of the reinforcements (graphene or wood fiber). The improvement in mechanical properties of the nanocomposite was notable considering that no compatibilizer was used in the manufacturing. The use of a masterbatch can promote utilization of nano-modified polymer composites on an industrial scale without modification of the currently employed processing methods and facilities. FAU - Al-Maqdasi, Zainab AU - Al-Maqdasi Z AUID- ORCID: 0000-0001-5550-2962 AD - Department of Engineering Materials and Mathematics, Lulea University of Technology, SE-971 87 Lulea, Sweden. FAU - Gong, Guan AU - Gong G AD - Rise Sicomp AB, Fibervagen 2, SE-941 26 Ojebyn, Sweden. FAU - Nystrom, Birgitha AU - Nystrom B AD - Podcomp AB, Skylvagen 1, SE-943 33 Ojebyn, Sweden. FAU - Emami, Nazanin AU - Emami N AUID- ORCID: 0000-0001-8676-8819 AD - Department of Engineering Materials and Mathematics, Lulea University of Technology, SE-971 87 Lulea, Sweden. FAU - Joffe, Roberts AU - Joffe R AD - Department of Engineering Materials and Mathematics, Lulea University of Technology, SE-971 87 Lulea, Sweden. LA - eng GR - NYPS 20201088/Interreg/ GR - 777810/H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions/ GR - smart machines and materials/Lulea Tekniska Universitet/ PT - Journal Article DEP - 20200501 PL - Switzerland TA - Materials (Basel) JT - Materials (Basel, Switzerland) JID - 101555929 PMC - PMC7254240 OTO - NOTNLM OT - energy transport OT - graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) OT - high density polyethylene (HDPE) OT - nanocomposites masterbatch OT - wood polymer composites (WPC) COIS- The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results. EDAT- 2020/05/07 06:00 MHDA- 2020/05/07 06:01 PMCR- 2020/05/01 CRDT- 2020/05/07 06:00 PHST- 2020/04/09 00:00 [received] PHST- 2020/04/25 00:00 [revised] PHST- 2020/04/29 00:00 [accepted] PHST- 2020/05/07 06:00 [entrez] PHST- 2020/05/07 06:00 [pubmed] PHST- 2020/05/07 06:01 [medline] PHST- 2020/05/01 00:00 [pmc-release] AID - ma13092089 [pii] AID - materials-13-02089 [pii] AID - 10.3390/ma13092089 [doi] PST - epublish SO - Materials (Basel). 2020 May 1;13(9):2089. doi: 10.3390/ma13092089.