Comparison of Microwave Heating of Pure and Functionalized Graphene-nanoplatelet Polymer Composites: Experimental and Finite Element Study

Microwave heating can potentially speed up the joining of thermoplastic polymer components compared to modern electrofusion procedures that employ embedded wires for Joule heating. This could result in shorter fusion times, improved heating consistency, and lower energy usage. This work examines how functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (fGNP) can create multifunctional polylactide acid (PLA) composites with substantial microwave absorption. Tannic acid was used to treat graphene nanoplatelets, resulting in fGNP. The fGNP/PLA nanocomposites were produced using a two-step scalable manufacturing process that involved solution blending and hot compression moulding. The composites' fGNP concentration ranged between 0 and 8% by weight. The samples were evaluated for dielectric permittivity, heat capacity, and electrical and thermal conductivity. Thermal imaging was utilized to determine the effectiveness of microwave heating in fGNP/PLA nanocomposites as a function of microwave power and filler weight fraction. The microwave heating process in the composites was investigated using Multiphysics finite element software. The experimental results were compared to numerical model projections of the maximum temperature and microwave energy absorbed. The experimental and computational results for fGNP/PLA nanocomposites were contrasted to similar results for plain (non-functionalized) GNP in PLA. The generated nanocomposites were discovered to have excellent microwave absorption properties and, hence, quick heating, making this composite type a promising candidate for gasket materials that promote fusion bonding for thermoplastic-based components by localized heating.