Physiochemical evaluations, mechanical attenuations and thermal stability of graphene nanosheets and functionalized nanodiamonds loaded pitch derived carbon foam composites

This work explains the synergistic effects of graphene nanosheets (GNS) and functionalized nanodiamonds (FNDs) on the pitch derived carbon foam (CF) composite to improve its electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Two different types of (1, 2 and 4 wt%) CF/GNS and CF/GNS-FNDs hybrid composites were prepared via pretreatment, foaming, carbonization and graphitization from coal tar pitches. The additive role of GNS and FNDs was studied by varying their amounts in CF matrix. The structure and morphological investigations of the composite reveal that pore size and cellular structure are significantly improved with the addition of additives amount. Moreover, electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of CF/GNS-FNDs hybrid composites are much higher than CF/GNS and pure CFs. Maximum in-plane electrical (20.20 × 103 Sm−1) and thermal (29.95 W m−1 K−1 at 800 °C) conductivities were revealed by 4 wt% CF/GNS-FND hybrid composite. Similarly, optimum values of 19.22 and 46.08 MPa of compressive strength and Young's modulus were represented by 2 wt% CF/GNS-FND hybrid composites which effectively suggests the role and importance of FNDs in the CF composites.