Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Multifunctional Filler for Polymer Foams

Due to their high mechanical and transport properties, graphene-derived materials have aroused a great deal of interest in the most varied sectors. Among these, graphene nanoplatelets have been gaining interest due to the fact they can be synthesized in a way scalable to mass production, enabling them to be considered in the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. Nevertheless, the addition of graphene nanoplatelets into polymers using industrial melt-mixing machinery is still a challenge, mainly related to inadequate graphene dispersion during processing. Foaming could come as a possible strategy to maximize the efficiency of graphene nanoplatelets in polymers by improving its dispersion throughout the polymer matrix, at the same time enabling to considerably reduce the material's density. This paper considers experimental examples of the improvement of the specific mechanical properties and enhancement of the electrical conductivity of different types of polymer foams thought for the most varied applications by incorporating graphene nanoplatelets using conventional plastic processing technologies, with the goal of developing new multifunctional lightweight polymer nanocomposites.