Endowing the sustainable antistatic properties to epoxy-based composites through adding graphene nanoplatelets

In order to explore the possibility of reducing the potential hazards caused by the accumulation of static charges in electronic components, graphene nanoplatelets with remarkable conductive property were added as functional fillers into epoxy matrix to enhance the antistatic property of composites used as the encapsulating materials. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to observe the dispersion of graphene fillers in the polymer to indicate the completeness of the establishment of the conductive network. The surface of the material was charged by corona discharge method, then the decay characteristics of the static charges was continuously measured. The accumulation and decay of the static charges on the surface of the sample were systematically analyzed by combining with water contact angle, resistivity and relevant permittivity parameters. Results showed that the antistatic ability of material had been constantly enhanced with the increase of graphene content. It was worth noting that when only 0.5 wt% graphene fillers were added, the surface and volume resistivity of composite could reach 5.38 × 1012 Ω/square, 2.37 × 1010 Ω.cm respectively, fully meeting the requirement standard of antistatic encapsulating material for electronic devices. It is forecasted that the prepared composites have considerable prospects in the antistatic encapsulation of electronic devices and aerospace fields.