Biomass and waste polymer based graphene containing activated carbon doping and characterization of PVC blends

Due to their moldability, durability, and performance, polymers are utilized in diverse applications ranging from household items to aerospace. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a rigid, chemically resistant synthetic resin widely used in pipes, flooring, and coatings. As the third most produced polymer globally, PVC offers inherent strength, fire resistance, and insulation properties, while its flexibility can be adjusted via plasticizers. Graphene derivatives are recognized as high-potential fillers for enhancing the properties of polymeric materials. Among various reinforcements, nano-carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and activated carbon exhibit the highest elastic moduli (approximately 1 TPa) and demonstrate optimal compatibility with the PVC matrix owing to their similar densities. The objective of this research is to achieve a homogeneous dispersion of graphene-containing activated carbon within the PVC matrix, thereby attaining significant mechanical and thermal reinforcement through a facile approach. In this study, graphene-containing activated carbon-based materials synthesized from waste polymers and biomass were blended with PVC using a turbo mixer to fabricate PVC composites. The morphology of the PVC nanocomposites was evaluated via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), while the influence of filler incorporation on the chemical structure was characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was utilized to determine thermal characteristics. Significant enhancements in tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, toughness, and thermal stability were observed even at low activated carbon concentrations. These improvements are primarily attributed to the uniform dispersion of activated carbon and robust activated carbon-PVC interfacial interactions.