Ontwikkeling van Bio-gebaseerde Poly(ethyleenfuranoaat)(PEF) Mengsels en Nanocomposieten

The growing demand for sustainable materials has directed attention toward bio-based polymers such as poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF), a 100% bio-derived alternative to PET. While PEF offers excellent gas barrier and thermal properties, its limited mechanical strength restricts its use. This study explores polymer blending and nanocomposite strategies to enhance PEF's mechanical and electrical performance. Blending PEF with linear low-density polyethylene (PE) using reactive compatibilizers (SEBS-g-MA, PE-g-MA) significantly improved ductility and tensile toughness. Interfacial reactions between PEF and compatibilizers transformed the blend morphology, resulting in improved flexibility suitable for packaging applications. Electrically conductive composites were developed by localizing graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) at the PEF/PE interface. Mixing parameters and compatibilizer presence affected GNP placement and conductivity. Notably, GNP localization at the interface yielded a low percolation threshold (0.97 vol%), and 3D conductive networks were confirmed through conductivity modeling. Additionally, PEF/polylactic acid (PLA) blends with carbon nanotubes (CNT) were studied. Across varying PEF/PLA ratios and CNT loadings, conductivity improvements were noted, especially with simultaneous mixing. CNT also promoted partial miscibility, evidenced by uniform morphology and suppressed phase separation. Overall, this work enhances understanding of PEF-based blends and nanocomposites, offering pathways to develop sustainable, high-performance materials for packaging and electronics