Electrical properties of graphene filled UPVC nanocomposites for mining pipe application

Abstract

Graphene-filled UPVC nanocomposites is expected to be a promising material for mining pipe application. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the electrical properties of UPVC filled with graphene derivatives: graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and pre-dispersed rGO (PDG) in Fischer Tropsch wax (FT wax). Pre-dispersed rGO in FT wax (PDG) are prepared by defining melting method with ultrasonic probe. Test specimens were prepared according to different material formulations by dry-blend mixing, followed by two-roll milling and hot press molding methods. PDG showed the lowest volume resistivity thus indicating highest electrical conductivity. It was found that the presence of PDG can greatly increase the electrical conductivity at lowest percolation value of 0.75phr. At 1.5phr, comparable volume resistivity value comparable to commercial mining pipe formulation based on carbon black (CB) was achieved. This study also confirmed that optimum electrical properties of graphene filled UPVC nanocomposites can be achieved by maximizing the dispersibility of graphene within the PVC matrix. This level of conductivity opens the door for the PDG filled UPVC nanocomposites for mining pipe application.