Composite materials of graphene nanoplatelets and polypropylene, prepared by in situ polymerization

Abstract Nanocomposites of polypropylene and graphene nanoplatelets were synthesized by in situ polymerization in liquid monomer in the presence of highly effective isospecific homogeneous metallocene catalyst. Microstructure, mechanical, dielectric, and thermal properties of composites are presented. X‐ray phase analysis data indicate that graphene nanoplatelets are present in composites as thin flaky particles aggregates, with aspect ratio affected by sonication of reaction mixture. Crystallization temperature of polypropylene increases in composites. Nanocomposites are characterized by high rigidity, thermal stability, and crystallization temperature, low conductivity, and high dielectric losses in the microwave range. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013