Graphene-Family Materials in Thermoplastic Engineering Plastics: Interface Design, Processing Limits, and Industrial Translation

Abstract

Graphene-family materials are commonly used as modifiers of polymer composites, but in engineering plastics, the question is whether a particular graphene derivative can improve a property without damaging processability, toughness, durability, cost or environmental performance. This review examines graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as fillers in thermoplastic-dominated engineering plastics. The interface chemistry, dispersion, selective localization, processing window, mechanical reinforcement, transport property, additive manufacturing and life cycle are discussed. It finds that the most credible applications are not the applications with the largest reported property increase. They are low-loading or well-localized systems in which the filler identity, matrix chemistry, processing route, and sacrificed properties are reported together. Therefore, negative examples such as strength loss, brittle conductors, humidity sensitive barrier and printing instability are useful boundary examples. The industry translation will have to be carried out by comparing the performance and sustainability of the fillers with the quality of the suppliers, the comparison of the quality and sustainability with the existing fillers and the life cycle analysis.