Graphene reinforced UHMWPE fibers

Xue, ZhiJing; Brown, Kenneth R.; Harrell, Timothy M.; Li, Xiaodong

doi:10.1007/s10965-025-04319-x

Graphene reinforced UHMWPE fibers

Journal Article · Wed Mar 19 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Journal of Polymer Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-025-04319-x· OSTI ID:2570199

^[1]; Brown, Kenneth R. ^[1]; Harrell, Timothy M. ^[1]; Li, Xiaodong ^[1]

Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)

Thermoplastic polymers are increasingly used in electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and other decarbonization applications due to their lightweight and formability. Higher-strength polymers are needed to supplant metals in the vehicle structure, thereby reducing mass and improving efficiency. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers possess one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of technical polymers, and further improvement via reinforcement by nanofillers, such as graphene, will expand their performance envelope. Here, in this work, UHMWPE/graphene nanocomposite fibers were gel spun and characterized for their morphological, microstructural, thermal, and mechanical properties. The addition of a low fraction of graphene improved the tensile strength of the fibers by 25% and tensile modulus by 32%. Differential scanning calorimetry showed an increase in melting temperature and degree of crystallinity, which indicates improved coordination of the molecular chains induced by the addition of graphene. The reinforcement also affected the cross-sectional shape of the fibers; the aspect ratio of the fibers’ elliptical shape declined with increasing graphene content showing the skeletal effect of the graphene nanofillers in the polymer matrix. The reinforcing effect of graphene declined above a threshold concentration, and theoretical modeling was applied to demonstrate that increased agglomerates led to reduced properties. This work demonstrates a simple, effective method to produce graphene-reinforced UHMWPE fibers and lays a foundation for understanding the potential for leveraging graphene to form ultra-high-performance nanocomposite fibers for myriad engineering applications.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009239

OSTI ID:: 2570199

Journal Information:: Journal of Polymer Research, Journal Name: Journal of Polymer Research Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 32; ISSN 1022-9760; ISSN 1572-8935

Publisher:: Springer NatureCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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