Nano Graphene Plate-Reinforced Polymer Composites

79671S Attempts to produce Carbon Nano Tube(CNT) in large quantities have been fraught with overwhelming challenges due to poor yield, costly fabrication, and the need for the purifying processes required to make them useful in applications. This project will develop an alternative nanoscale carbon material with comparable properties that can be produced cost-effectively and in larger quantities. Phase I will experimentally demonstrate the outstanding properties of Nano-Graphene-Plate-based nanocomposites and hybrid composites that have been theoretically predicted. In particular, Phase I will (1) prepare the Nanoscale Graphene Plates (NGP); (2) fabricate NGP-bismaleimides and NGP-epoxy nanocomposites; and (3) perform modeling and characterization. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The nanocomposites should find use in aerospace, sports equipment, infrastructure, automotive, and other transportation industries, as both primary and secondary load-bearing structures. With further improvements in thermal conductivity, nanocomposites and hybrid composites also could become the choice of materials for microelectronic packaging and nano-fiber reinforcement and manufacturing.