ABSTRACT

A wide diversity of polymeric matrices have been studied with graphene as reinforcement; in this chapter we paid particular attention to semicrystalline polymers. The presence of a second phase in this type of polymers has the ability to induce crystallization. Knowledge of the crystallization behavior is essential to understand the structure-property relationships in nanocomposites. Furthermore, the crystallinity properties inuence the mechanical response of graphene/polymer nanocomposites. The improvements in mechanical properties are also ascribed to the extremely large surface area of graphene. The mechanical performance is signicantly dependent on the dispersion and the interface between the graphene sheets and the matrix. Additionally, several investigations have indicated the inuence of these parameters on the thermal properties of nanocomposites. Extensive research on different graphene/polymer nanocomposite systems has been conducted including a wide range of properties; however, thermal and mechanical properties related to semicrystalline polymer

nanocomposites and their crystal structure are the main issues presented in this chapter.