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Novel Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Preparation, Properties and Applications

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Dear Colleagues,

Novel carbon materials include zero-dimensional carbon quantum dots, fullerenes, one-dimensional carbon nanotubes, two-dimensional graphene, and other related materials which have unique optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, mechanical properties, and a large specific surface area. By compounding with polymers, the microstructure of the composites can be regulated to obtain excellent performance with broad application prospects in the fields of flexible electronics, biomedicine, energy storage, electromagnetic shielding, water treatment, etc.

This Special Issue invites original research articles and critical reviews on the most recent advancements in novel carbon-based polymer composites. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Polymer composites based on carbon quantum dots, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon fiber, etc.
Preparation and characterization of low-dimensional materials as polymer fillers.
Structures, properties, and applications of novel carbon/polymer composites.
Design and functionalization of multidimensional and multi-scale composites.

Dr. Hao Li
Dr. Delong He
Guest Editors

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34 pages, 6168 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Nanocomposites Based on Poly(2,5-dichloro-3,6-bis(phenylamino)-p-benzoquinone) and MWCNTs: Synthesis, Structure, and the Role of ZnO

by Svetlana G. Kiseleva, Galina N. Bondarenko, Dmitriy G. Muratov, Vladimir V. Kozlov, Andrey A. Vasilev and Galina P. Karpacheva

Polymers 2026, 18(6), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060754 - 19 Mar 2026

Viewed by 649

Abstract

For the first time, hybrid nanocomposites based on poly(2,5-dichloro-3,6-bis(phenylamino)-p-benzoquinone) (PCPAB) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were obtained and the influence of the preparation method on their structure and functional properties was demonstrated. The nanocomposites were obtained both by ultrasonic mixing of PCPAB and MWCNTs, and via in situ oxidative polymerization of CPAB in the presence of MWCNTs or MWCNTs with the addition of ZnO. The formation of hybrid nanocomposites occurs due to non-covalent interaction (π-stacking) between the graphene structures of the MWCNT surface and the phenyl rings of PCPAB. It was found that during the in situ oxidative polymerization of CPAB in the presence of MWCNTs, the growth of polymer chains occurred in close proximity to the filler surface, which led to the formation of a polymer coating. ZnO particles, localized on MWCNTs, on the one hand, prevent their aggregation, and on the other hand, create additional polymerization reaction centers due to the coordination of the Zn-O bond at the H and O atoms of the monomer. An increase in the concentration of reaction centers as a result led to a 2–2.5-fold reduction in the induction polymerization period. According to SEM data, in this case, a more ordered and denser polymer layer is formed due to intermolecular complexation between the main and side chains of the growing polymer with the participation of Zn²⁺ ions formed as a result of the transformation of ZnO to ZnCl₂ in the acidic reaction medium of polymerization. The results of the study of the frequency dependences of conductivity indicate a hopping mechanism of conductivity of nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity of nanocomposites depends on their production method and the MWCNT content and varies between 0.5 and 1.1 S∙cm⁻¹, which is 6–12 times higher than the conductivity of the original polymer. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the nanocomposites exhibit enhanced thermal stability compared to PCPAB. The best results were shown by nanocomposites with a higher content of MWCNTs, for which the residual mass at 450 °C was 51–53%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Preparation, Properties and Applications)

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20 pages, 4485 KB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Carbon Black Replacement in Rubber Compound: Impact of Pyrolytic Carbon Black and Energy-Gypsum By-Products on Vulcanization and Properties

by Ivan Labaj, Juliána Vršková, Ivan Kopal, Andrej Dubec and Darina Ondrušová

Polymers 2025, 17(22), 3080; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17223080 - 20 Nov 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1499

Abstract

This study focuses on the possibility of substituting the conventional carbon black filler N339 in a rubber compound, which also contains an energy-gypsum filler obtained as an industrial by-product, with an alternative carbon filler produced by pyrolysis of rubber waste. The proposed basic rubber compound recipe demonstrated excellent mechanical properties, which were also verified through industrial tests. Practical application in transport systems confirmed the reliability, durability, and robustness of the compound ensuring long-term functionality even in demanding operating conditions. From an ecological point of view, the substitution of conventional fillers with pyrolytic carbon materials is being pursued to reduce the environmental burden of the material. The rheological and vulcanization characteristics of the compounds were subject to minimal changes of up to 8%. The increase in the scorch time value of the compounds can be positively assessed given that the optimal vulcanization time has decreased, which leads to a faster course of the vulcanization process. The most significant effect was a 56% reduction in tensile strength without significant effect on elongation at break. These results document the potential for complete replacement of traditional fillers in rubber systems while maintaining several functional parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Carbon-Based Polymer Composites: Preparation, Properties and Applications)

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