Enhanced thermal properties of graphene-based poly (vinyl chloride) composites

Poly (vinyl chloride)/graphene composites with different graphene concentrations were prepared by wet spinning and spin-coating methods. The thermal properties of the poly (vinyl chloride)/graphene composites are investigated through the analysis of the activation energy by using Kissinger and Friedman-Reich-Levi methods. The activation energy of poly (vinyl chloride)/graphene composites obtained by the two methods is consistent and it can be estimated from the non-isothermal kinetic results. In addition, the activation energy value of poly (vinyl chloride)/graphene composites is higher than that of the pure poly (vinyl chloride) fiber, indicating that the addition of graphene can significantly improve the thermal stability of poly (vinyl chloride). Moreover, the activation energy values of 9 wt% poly (vinyl chloride)/graphene composite obtained by Kissinger and Friedman-Reich-Levi methods are highest at 114.90 kJ/mol and 145.00 kJ/mol, respectively, and the result reveals that poly (vinyl chloride)/graphene composite with 9 wt% concentration of graphene has the best thermal stabilities. The prepared graphene-based poly (vinyl chloride) composites with good thermal properties have a promising application in the thermal protective materials.