Rheology‑Driven Insights for Engineering Next‑Generation 2D Material Nanocomposites

Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology, Engineering School, Mackenzie Presbyterian University & MackGraphe – Mackenzie Institute for Research in Graphene and Nanotechnologies, São Paulo-SP, Brazil

The synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of two-dimensional (2D) materials continue to attract significant attention due to their exceptional physicochemical properties and potential for disruptive innovation across multiple sectors. These materials, such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and hexagonal boron nitride (h‑BN) enable advanced applications in polymer nanocomposites, including enhanced mechanical performance, thermal dissipation, gas‑barrier properties, corrosion resistance, conductive inks, flexible electronics, and smart materials processed by 3D/4D printing. A fundamental challenge remains in correlating the structure and morphology of 2D materials with their processability and final performance in polymer matrices.

This work highlights the use of rheology as a key tool for elucidating how the morphology, degree of exfoliation, and surface chemistry of 2D materials influence their dispersion behavior and interactions within polymers. Comprehensive characterization including particle size and thickness, functional groups, oxidation degree, and layer quality was carried out for graphene, GO, and h‑BN. Industry‑relevant mixing routes were developed to produce polymer/2D material nanocomposites. Rheological measurements revealed strong sensitivity to structural features. Variations in the number of layers demonstrated marked reductions in flow curves and viscoelastic moduli, attributed to an increased presence of aggregates that act as lubricating domains under shear [1]. Furthermore, the oxidation level of chemically exfoliated GO significantly affected rheological responses, reflecting shifts in polymer–filler interactions and microstructure development [2]. For hydrogel systems, the interplay between polymer chain charge and the negative surface charges from GO’s carboxylic groups modulated network strength, as evidenced by changes in yield stress and complex modulus. These insights demonstrate how rheology can directly capture dispersion quality, interfacial interactions, and structural evolution, enabling the rational design of high‑performance nanocomposites.

Overall, this research advances the understanding needed for tailoring polymer/2D material systems and supports their translation into industrial applications spanning automotive, aerospace, coatings, textiles, flexible electronics, biomedical materials, and oil and gas technologies [3].

Acknowledgements: The CNPq (Project No. 405665/2022-9, and 305109/2022-7), CAPES, FAPERJ, FAPESP, National Institute of Science and Technology for Rheology of Complex Materials Applied to Advanced Technologies (INCT-Rhe9) grant 406765/2022-7, Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP N° 01.23.0483.00/REF. 0382/23), Petrobras, and Mackenzie Presbyterian University for the fellowship granted.

References
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