Enhanced Flame Retardancy, Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Compatibilized Polyamide 11/Poly(Phenylene Oxide) Blend‐Based Nanocomposites via Silane‐Modified Graphene Nanoplatelets Incorporation

ABSTRACT

Polyamide 11 (PA11) is a bio‐based polymer with promising applications due to its excellent mechanical strength, biodegradability, and strong adhesion; however, its major drawbacks include low flame retardancy and limited thermal stability. In this study, PA11 was blended with poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) in the presence of a compatibilizer poly(phenylene ether‐graft‐maleic anhydride) (PPE‐ g ‐MAH or FB), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) modified with (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The silane‐modified GNPs (GS) significantly improved the dispersion of graphene within the polymer matrix, leading to enhanced stress transfer efficiency and improved phase stability. The nanocomposite containing 2 wt.% GS exhibited outstanding mechanical performance compared to the neat blend, including improvements in Young's modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and storage modulus. Notably, the nanocomposites showed a simultaneous increase in dielectric constant, a reduction in dielectric loss, and a significant enhancement in dielectric breakdown strength, reaching up to 29.2 kV/mm. In addition, the optimized material achieved a UL‐94 V‐2 rating, along with improved thermal stability. These results indicate that GS functions both as an effective compatibilizer and reinforcing filler, interacting strongly with the polymer matrix. This work provides a promising pathway for developing multifunctional bio‐based PA11 nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical, electrical, thermal, and flame‐retardant properties.