Session: 14-02-01: General Topics in MEMS and Fabrication

Paper Number: 167260

Comparative Analysis of Graphene and Hexagonal Boron Nitride-Polymer Composites: Insights Into Surface Treatment and Functional Properties 

Graphene-based nanocomposites offer superior mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical properties, making them highly effective in sensors, membranes, and coatings. Their integration with polymers enhances structural integrity, conductivity, and ion permeability, enabling improved performance across various applications. Among synthesis techniques, plasma-based methods stand out for their eco-friendly, single-step process, allowing surface modifications without altering bulk properties. Besides graphene, other 2D materials, such as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), have also demonstrated remarkable potential in composite systems due to their unique thermal and dielectric properties. In this study, graphene-polymer nanocomposites are fabricated using an in-situ shear exfoliation technique, followed by heat pressing to ensure uniform dispersion, improved structural properties, and enhanced interfacial interactions between graphene and the polymer matrix. The research investigates the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of these composites before and after laser treatment, analyzing how laser-induced modifications influence material performance by altering surface morphology and electronic properties. The graphene content in polymer composites will be systematically varied to examine its impact on functional properties, including conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and thermal stability. Graphene will be incorporated into polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and silicon-based polymers, optimizing their compatibility, stability, and efficiency while assessing their potential in high-performance applications. Additionally, graphene-based composites will be compared with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)-polymer composites to evaluate their advantages in separation, filtration, and energy storage applications, providing insights into the relative performance of different 2D materials. hBN, another 2D nanomaterial, is known for its exceptional thermal stability, chemical resistance, and dielectric properties, making it an excellent alternative to graphene in applications where electrical insulation and high-temperature performance are critical. For material characterization, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman Spectroscopy will be used to evaluate graphene and hBN dispersion, alignment, and structural changes induced by laser and plasma treatments, allowing a detailed analysis of surface roughness, defect density, and lattice distortions. Further thermal, mechanical, and electrical analyses will investigate surface morphology, bonding interactions, and phase composition, offering a comprehensive understanding of processing-structure-property relationships in these nanocomposites. This study also aims to understand how different fabrication parameters, including shear exfoliation speed, heat-pressing conditions, and laser energy intensity, contribute to final material properties and scalability for industrial applications. By optimizing graphene and hBN integration with surface modifications, this research seeks to develop high-performance, durable, and scalable nanocomposite membranes with superior conductivity, mechanical strength, and stability. The findings will contribute to the advancement of 2D material-polymer composites for next-generation applications, offering innovative pathways for improving material efficiency through controlled graphene and hBN engineering, shear exfoliation, and heat-assisted fabrication techniques, ensuring a balance between functionality, scalability, and industrial applicability, and further expanding their use in thermal management, advanced filtration, flexible electronics, and energy storage technologies.

Presenting Author: A K M Abirul Haque University Of South Florida

Presenting Author Biography: AKM Abirul Haque is a Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida, specializing in nanocomposites and their applications in battery technology. His research focuses on the development and optimization of advanced nanocomposite materials to enhance the performance, efficiency, and durability of next-generation energy storage systems. He explores the integration of 2D materials and polymer-based composites to improve key properties essential for high-performance batteries. His work aims to contribute to the advancement of sustainable and scalable energy storage solutions through innovative material design and processing techniques.

Authors:

Asif Hasan Ridoy University Of South Florida
A K M Abirul Haque University Of South Florida
Muhammad Shahbaz Rafique University Of South Florida
Ashok Kumar University Of South Florida
Ali Ashraf University Of South Florida