ORCID Identifier(s)

0000-0002-5563-7813

Graduation Semester and Year

2022

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering

Department

Materials Science and Engineering

First Advisor

Michael Bozlar

Second Advisor

Suk Kyung Yum

Abstract

High-Density Polyethylene uniquely can induce banded spherulites as it is crystallized from its melt. We studied the effects of graphene in the crystallography of banded HDPE by examining parameters such as the extent of twisting, spherulitic growth, and nucleation density. The application of graphene as a multifunctional filler in polymer matrices is a great topic of interest because graphene at low concentrations can bring many improvements in mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. We synthesized graphene oxide by chemical oxidation of graphite and further studied its effects in the twisted crystallography of HDPE. Three batches of fibers were extruded: two batches with different concentrations of graphene and a neat HDPE for cross-examination. The HDPE microfibers were produced using a twin-screw extruder/micro-compounder. The fibers were analyzed using characterization techniques such as Polarized Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction.

Keywords

Polyethylene, Graphene, Twisting, Spherulites, Microfibers, Composites

Disciplines

Engineering | Materials Science and Engineering

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

Download

Share

COinS