Thermally reduced graphene/polyethylene nanocomposites: effects of graphene on isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization of polyethylene

The crystallization behavior of polyethylene/thermally reduced graphene (PE/TRG) nanocomposites prepared via solvent blending is investigated using a differential scanning calorimeter, and results are compared with PE/carbon black (CB) composites. The effects of TRG and CB concentrations on the crystallization process are studied under isothermal and dynamic conditions. The Avrami and modified Avrami equations provided excellent fits to isothermal and dynamic crystallization kinetics data, respectively. The TRG nanosheets acted as nucleating agents during crystallization attributed to substantial decrease in crystallization half time at higher TRG concentrations. The reduced surface energy of the nanocomposites with incorporation of TRG further confirmed its nucleating behavior. Materials science; Polyethylene; Graphene; Nanocomposites; Crystallization; DSC