Mechanical Properties of Graphene and Graphene-Based Nanocomposites

Dear Colleagues,

Graphene-based nanocomposites possess excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and chemical properties. These materials have potential applications in high-performance transistors, biomedical systems, sensors, and solar cells. The mechanical properties of the graphene family of materials mostly depend on the preparation and properties of bulk graphene-based nanocomposites. Furthermore, the preparation strategies of bulk graphene-based nanocomposites have a unique correlation between the filler modulus, derived from the rule of mixtures, and the composite matrix. This correlation with a wide range of polymer matrices and the filler modulus explains the apparent underperformance of graphene nanocomposites. Some of the topics of interest in this Special Issue include: the importance of characterization techniques, including nanoindentation/microindentation, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) for the characterization of graphene flakes and their composites; the presence of graphene even at very low loadings, which can provide significant reinforcement to the final material, and the parameters that strongly affect the nanocomposite; the usefulness of Raman spectroscopy for the characterization and study of the mechanical properties of graphene flakes and their composites; the potential applications and future perspectives concerning scale-up capabilities and possible developments of graphene-based nanocomposite materials.

The goal for this Special Issue is to describe the recent developments of mechanical properties of graphene nanocomposites. Therefore, we invite you to submit manuscripts for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Dr. Bibhu Prasad Swain
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• graphene nanocomposites
• mechanical properties
• Raman spectra
• nanoindentation/microindentation
• polymer matrix/ceramic matrix