Synthesis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) with High Crystallization and Mechanical Properties via Functionalized Graphene Oxide as Nucleation Agent

Yingdi Dan; Yao Wang; Miaorong Zhang; Linjun Huang; Quankai Sun; Pengwei Zhang; Zengkun Li; Wei Wang; Jiangguo Tang

doi:10.3390/molecules29091953

Synthesis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) with High Crystallization and Mechanical Properties via Functionalized Graphene Oxide as Nucleation Agent

Molecules. 2024 Apr 24;29(9):1953. doi: 10.3390/molecules29091953.

Authors

Yingdi Dan¹, Yao Wang¹, Miaorong Zhang¹, Linjun Huang¹, Quankai Sun¹, Pengwei Zhang¹, Zengkun Li¹, Wei Wang¹, Jiangguo Tang¹

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Hybrid Materials, National Center of International Research for Hybrid Materials Technology, National Base of International Science & Technology Cooperation, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.

Abstract

In this work, a novel functionalized graphene oxide nucleating agent (GITP) was successfully synthesized using a silane coupling agent (IPTES), and polymer block (ITP) to efficiently improve the crystallization and mechanical performance of PET. To comprehensively investigate the effect of functionalized GO on PET properties, PET/GITP nanocomposites were prepared by introducing GITP into the PET matrix using the melt blending method. The results indicate that PET/GITP exhibits better thermal stability and crystallization properties compared with pure PET, increasing the melting temperature from 244.1 °C to 257.1 °C as well as reducing its crystallization half-time from 595 s to 201 s. Moreover, the crystallization temperature of PET/GITP nanocomposites was increased from 185.1 °C to 207.5 °C and the tensile strength was increased from 50.69 MPa to 66.8 MPa. This study provides an effective strategy for functionalized GO as a nucleating agent with which to improve the crystalline and mechanical properties of PET polyester.

Keywords: crystalline properties; graphene oxide; mechanical properties; poly(ethylene terephthalate).

Grants and funding

This work was supported by State Key Project of International Cooperation Research (2023YFE0201100); the Program for Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (“111” plan); and the high-level discipline program of Materials Science of Shandong Province, China.