Mechanical and thermal degradation behavior of inorganic fullerene-liked tungsten disulfide reinforced perfluoroalkoxy/poly (ether-ether-ketone) nanocomposites

Enhancing the mechanical, thermal properties and obtaining the thermal degradation mechanism of polymers is crucial for designing advanced polymer composites. Here, an inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide nanoparticle reinforced perfluoroalkoxy and poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PFA/PEEK/IF-WS2) nanocomposites were developed using solution mixing and polymer blending techniques. This work investigated the mechanical, thermal properties and thermal degradation behavior of PFA/PEEK blends and PFA/PEEK/IF-WS2 nanocomposites. FTIR analysis demonstrated the interacting hydrogen bonds. SEM and TEM showed the compatibility of the incompatible PFA/PEEK blend was improved with the introduction of IF-WS2. TG analysis indicated that IF-WS2 enhanced the thermal stability of PFA/PEEK blends. The PFA/PEEK/IF-WS2 nanocomposites exhibited better mechanical properties, especially tensile properties, with a 37.9% increase in tensile strength and a 106% increase in storage modulus. DSC showed that compared with pure PFA, the initial melting temperature of the 80/20/1% sample was increased by 8.64 degrees C, and the crystallinity was increased by 9.44%. TG-IR analysis showed that IF-WS2 delayed the time of thermal decomposition products and reduced the yield of organic volatiles. Excellent barrier properties and good compatibility of IF-WS2 in the PFA/PEEK blends are considered to be the keys to enhance mechanical and thermal performances.

Automated summary

This study developed inorganic nanoparticle-reinforced polymer nanocomposites, which enhanced mechanical and thermal properties by improving compatibility and increasing thermal stability.