Synergetic Dispersion Effect of Graphene Nanohybrid on the Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Nanocomposite

This study provides a facile approach to improving the dispersion of graphene in polymer matrix through a synergetic effect between two kinds of two-dimensional (2D) nanofillers. The nanohybrid based on graphene and boehmite (AlOOH) was synthesized by decorating AlOOH nanoplatelets on the graphene nanosheets. The graphene nanohybrid/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) nanocomposite showed a more homogeneous dispersion than those of composites containing only a single nanomaterial. The obtained nanocomposite exhibited significant enhancements in thermal stability and mechanical properties, compared with those of neat EVA and composites with only graphene or AlOOH. The temperature at 80 wt % degradation for the nanohybrid-based nanocomposite was increased by 27 degrees C in comparison with that of neat EVA. Nevertheless, only a 14 degrees C improvement and no enhancement were observed for the AlOOH- and graphene-based composites, respectively. Additionally, after the incorporation of nanohybrid in EVA, the tensile strength increased by 37.1%, from 12.4 to 17.0 MPa.