Novel Hybrid Polymer Composites with Graphene and MXene Nano-Reinforcements: Computational Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a computational analysis on the mechanical and damage behavior of novel hybrid polymer composites with graphene and MXene nano-reinforcements targeted for flexible electronics and advanced high-strength structural applications with additional functions, such as real-time monitoring of structural integrity. Geometrical models of three-dimensional representative volume elements of various configurations were generated, and a computational model based on the micromechanical finite element method was developed and solved using an explicit dynamic solver. The influence of the geometrical orientation, aspect ratio, and volume fractions of the inclusions, as well as the interface properties between the nano-reinforcements and the matrix on the mechanical behavior, was determined. The results of the presented research give initial insights about the mechanical and damage behavior of the proposed composites and provide insight for future design iterations of similar multifunctional materials.