Thermal behavior and electrical conductivity of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/expanded graphite nanocomposites: Effects of nanofiller size and loading

Nanocomposites based on ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and expanded graphite (EG) were prepared using direct and two-step melt-mixing processes. The effect of elongational flow on the dispersion of EG nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix was investigated by thermal analysis and electrical conductivity measurements. Two types of EG having different aspect ratio were applied to prepare the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites containing higher aspect ratio nanofiller have shown higher values of transition temperature (Tg) and a stronger reinforcing effect of EG. The evaluation of EVA crystallization behavior has clarified that both the EG loading and particle size have noticeably influenced the crystallization characteristics of EVA. The restrictions imposed by nanoparticles on molecular motion and, correspondingly, the crystal growth stage have been the most notable effect of EG nanopartciles on the EVA crystallization behavior. Moreover, the presence of EG nanofiller has intensified the formation of a second-type of EVA crystals during long annealing time. Furthermore, chemically crosslinking of EVA chains has led to the formation of smaller crystals with more uniform size. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:51-60, 2016. (c) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers