English

Submicron-Sized, High Crystalline Graphene-Reinforced Meta-Aramid Fibers with Enhanced Tensile Strength

• Zhenfei Gao ^{1, 3, †,} ,
• Qingquan Song ^{2, †,} ,
• Zhihua Xiao ^{1, 3, 4, †,} ,
• Zhaolong Li ^{1, 3, 5,} ,
• Tao Li ^3, ,
• Jiajun Luo ^{1, 3,} ,
• Shanshan Wang ^1, ,
• Wanli Zhou ^6, ,
• Lanying Li ^{1, 6,} ,
• Junrong Yu ^{2, ,} ,
• Jin Zhang ^{1, 3, ,}

• 1.

  School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Beijing Science and Engineering Center for Nanocarbons, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

• 2.

  State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China

• 3.

  Division of Graphene Fiber Technology, Beijing Graphene Institute, Beijing 100095, China

• 4.

  State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China

• 5.

  State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China

• 6.

  China Bluestar Chengrand Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610000, China

• ^†These authors contributed equally to this work.

Corresponding author: Junrong Yu, yjr@dhu.edu.cn Jin Zhang, jinzhang@pku.edu.cn

• Received Date: 24 July 2023
  Accepted Date: 08 September 2023
  Revised Date: 07 September 2023
  Available Online: 15 October 2023
• Fund Project:

Abstract: Aramid fiber is highly regarded for its outstanding properties and is widely used in various industrial applications. Among the different types of aramid fibers, meta-aramids, particularly poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA), are known for their exceptional flame retardance, high-temperature resistance, excellent electrical insulation, and remarkable chemical stability. As a result, PMIA-based materials find extensive use in industries focused on fire prevention, heat protection, and related applications. However, PMIA fibers have limitations due to the lack of conjugation between amide and benzene ring bonds in their molecular structure, resulting in flexible segments with low crystallinity, which in turn leads to inferior mechanical strength. Researchers have shown great interest in nanocomposites as a means to overcome these limitations. In this context, graphene nanocomposites have gained significant attention. Graphene, with its benzene ring arrangement within its layers, easily bonds with polymers possessing a similar structure. This property makes graphene a promising candidate for enhancing the mechanical strength of aromatic polymers like PMIA. Moreover, small-sized graphene particles exhibit superior dispersibility within fibrous polymer matrices, leading to more effective reinforcement compared to larger graphene sheets. Consequently, incorporating high-quality, small-sized graphene into polymer matrices can substantially improve the properties of these polymers. There is a growing demand for enhancing the mechanical characteristics of aramid fibers to expand their applications beyond traditional uses. This research demonstrates how sub-micron-sized graphene improves the structural integrity and mechanical strength of PMIA fibers. The results show a remarkable 46% enhancement in tensile strength compared to unmodified PMIA fibers. While the graphene/PMIA fiber exhibits exceptional mechanical properties, it also holds great potential for applications in wearables, flexible sensors, and various other domains, thanks to graphene's versatile characteristics. This research underscores the importance of utilizing small-sized, high-quality graphene to develop more robust carbonaceous nanocomposite fibers suitable for a wide range of commercial purposes. Beyond its immediate impact on PMIA fibers, this research represents a significant step forward in advancing the utilization and growth of graphene materials in various applications.

Key words:
• Sub-micron-sized graphene
•  /  Meta-aramid fiber
•  /  Shear dispersion
•  /  Tensile strength
•  /  Internal structure optimization

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