Fabrication and mechanical properties of phenolic foam reinforced with graphene oxide

In this article, samples of phenolic foam reinforced with graphene oxide were prepared. Gel time of resole was tested to choose the appropriate foaming agent. Friability and Mechanical properties of the composite were tested. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was employed to study the mechanical properties in varied temperatures. The results show that gel time is increased 68.2% by using of 0.5% graphene oxide; n‐hexane is more fitting as blowing agent for graphene oxide reinforced phenolic foam; Impact toughness increase along with the graphene oxide content. It is not obvious when the amount is lower than 0.3% and there is a sudden enhancement when the amount reaches 0.5%. There is a 26.7% reduction in mass loss by reinforcing with 0.5% graphene oxide. Ester bonds between graphene oxide and phenolic foam matrix may be considered as “nails,” while graphene oxide may be considered as a “net.” The “net” mantle up the matrix tightly with those “nails” and stops separating of particles whose size is smaller than the “net.” POLYM. COMPOS., 35:581–586, 2014.