CuO/Graphene nanohybrids: Preparation and enhancement on thermal stability and smoke suppression of polypropylene

Cu/graphene nanohybrids were successfully prepared using a simultaneous chemical reduction method. Successful oxidation of Cu nanoparticles was carried out by the melt blending during preparation of the nanocomposites. Cu nanoparticles were well dispersed on graphene with a diameter of 3-7 nm. XRD and TGA results revealed successful oxidation of Cu nanoparticles during processing. TEM results indicated that PP nanocomposites decorated with CuO/graphene were better dispersed than those added with graphene because the CuO acted as a spacer to keep graphene layers separated. The thermal property of the PP/G-Cu-1 and PP/G-Cu-2 was efficiently improved by around 30 C compared with native PP. Moreover, the smoke suppression property of PP/graphene, PP/G-Cu-1, and PP/G-Cu-2 nanocomposites were also improved by 28.9%, 35.8%, and 47.2%, respectively. The main reasons for the improvements were due to two factors: the good mass barrier effect of graphene and being easily reduced or the catalytic charring effect of CuO. This work represents a novel and simple process to synthesize CuO/graphene nanohybrids to reduce the fire hazards of polypropylene, indicating further application in research and industrial areas. © 2013 American Chemical Society.