Emna Helal

NanoXplore · R&D

This work investigated the photostabilizing role of a commercially available few-layer graphene (FLG) in mixed polyolefins waste stream (MPWS), ensuring extended lifespan for outdoor applications. The investigation was conducted by analyzing carbonyl content increase, surface appearance, and the retention of mechanical properties of UV-exposed MPWS...

The effectiveness of layered particles as processing aid agents in molten polystyrene was studied. Three graphene grades and two clays of different lateral size were selected for this purpose. The morphologies of the composites were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Steady shear measurements were carried out and the Carreau–Yasuda model...

This work studied few‐layer graphene (FLG) dominant action mechanisms as a photo‐stabilizer. High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) containing 0–0.5 wt% FLG were exposed to UVA radiation in a QUV chamber, according to ASTM G154 for different exposure times, ranging from 0 to 672 h. The chemical, rheological, and mechanical properties were tracked using a...

This work demonstrates how the addition of few-layer graphene (FLG) influences the processability and mechanical properties of the mixed polyolefin waste stream (R-(PE/PP)). Three different types of compounds were investigated: (1) R-(PE/PP) with FLG; (2) blends of R-(PE/PP) with prime polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or PP copolymer; and (3...

The purpose of this work is to demonstrate how the addition of graphene to a polyethylene resin formulation can allow for a large amount of recycled resin to be used without sacrificing the physical properties of the formulation. We investigated the effects of graphene addition on the rheology, thermal and mechanical properties of a prime high-dens...

Graphene-based composites are promising candidates to improve properties in flexible packaging to protect electronic devices. However, the literature hardly addresses the industrial scale requirements. In this context, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a common packaging material, and an industrial grade graphene (G) were used to prepare multilayer...

Graphene, the newest member of the carbon’s family, has proven its efficiency in improving polymers’ resistance against photodegradation, even at low loadings equal to 1 wt% or lower. This protective role involves a multitude of complementary mechanisms associated with graphene’s unique geometry and chemistry. In this review, these mechanisms, taki...

In this study, the dynamic viscoelastic moduli and electrical conductivity of blends of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) presenting a co-continuous morphology, filled with commercial graphene (GN) nanoplatelets, have been assessed as function of thermal annealing time and correlated with changes in the morpholog...

In this work, cocontinuous blends of linear low density polyethylene/ethyl vinyl acetate containing graphene (GN) have been studied. Although mass-produced GN grade prepared by mechanochemical exfoliation of graphite and a facile melt compounding technique were adopted, it was possible to lower the electrical percolation threshold significantly by...

Economically viable high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/graphene nanocomposites were produced using mass produced graphene powder and an industrial twin‐screw melt‐compounding machine. Rheological and electrical properties were investigated and scanning electron microscopy was carried out to investigate graphene dispersion and its network formation in...

Graphene nanoplatelets (GN) produced on a large scale by mechanochemical exfoliation of graphite are incorporated in a co‐continuous ethylene‐vinyl acetate/linear low‐density polyethylene (EVA/LLDPE) blend. Two different processing routes are chosen to selectively place GN in the EVA phase or force its migration to the EVA/LLDPE interface. The resu...

Accepted In this study, the mechanical strength and the AC short term breakdown strength of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer clay-containing nanocomposites have been investigated as function of their morphologies. The SEBS/clay nanocomposites with tailored morphologies were prepared previously b...

Blends of polyethylene (PE) with nanocomposites of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-MA) thermoplastic elastomer filled with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have been studied as potential candidates for applications in HV insulation systems including HVDC cables. In particular, the dielectric and m...

Metallic oxide reinforced thermoplastics are good candidates as insulating material for HVDC cables because of their ability to limit or suppress space charges injection and accumulation. In this paper, LDPE based nanocomposites reinforced by Magnesium Oxide (MgO), Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS) or Zinc Oxide (ZnO) were prepared eithe...

Thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites based on respectively polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) and polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-MA) block copolymers and containing functionalized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have been investigated as candidate materials for high...

The dielectric properties of nanocomposites of polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) triblock copolymers containing organically modified clay nanoparticles featuring controlled spatial orientation at the nanoscale: isotropic, totally oriented and partially oriented, have been investigated and correlated with the nanocomposi...

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The dielectric performance of nanocomposites made of Polyethylene (PE) and a master batch of Styrene- Ethylene/Butylene-Styrene grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-MA) triblock copolymer containing individually dispersed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, was investigated in comparison with conventional PE/ZnO nanocomposites and correlated to the differenc...

In this study, the rheological and dielectric properties of two sets of nanocomposites prepared respectively from Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene (SEBS) and SEBS grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) block copolymer matrices and surface functionalized zinc oxide nanoparticles have been investigated. The interaction at the polymer-nanoparticle inte...

In this work, the effect of controlling the morphology on the dielectric properties of triblock copolymers and their clay-containing nanocomposites was evaluated. Two different copolymers: polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) and SEBS grafted with maleic anhydride were used for that purpose. Morphologies with different degr...

In this work, a polymer blend of High Density Polyethylene HDPE and Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene SEBS triblock copolymer has been prepared. The composition of the blend was tailored to control the morphology from a state of dispersed droplets of SEBS in a PE matrix to a fiber-like morphology. The microstructure of the blends has been assessed...

In this paper, intercalated vs. exfoliated structures of clay-containing nanocomposites of polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene are studied. The morphology of the nanocomposites, characterized earlier by microscopy and Small Angle X-Ray Scattering, is confirmed through the study of the thermal, mechanical, rheological and dielect...

The aim of this work is to process and characterise nanocomposites which combine the advantages of a flexible lightweight polymer matrix (polyvinylidene fluoride, PVDF), the high conductivity of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and the attractive dielectric properties of titanium dioxide (TiO<sub align="right"> 2 </sub>) nanospheres, to simulta...