Mechanical properties of polymer near graphite sheet

This study aims to investigate the local mechanical properties of polyimide near graphite sheet in the graphite/polyimide nanocomposites. In order to understand the influence of graphite on the molecular configuration, the corresponding density and order parameter of the polyimide near the graphite/polyimide interface were evaluated using molecular dynamics simulation. In addition, the local mechanical properties of polyimide polymer were characterized through the calculation of the local stress distribution of the polyimide subjected to a uniform strain deformation. Results illustrated that in the vicinity of the graphite sheet, the polyimide chains are not only adsorbed compactly toward the graphite sheet but they are also oriented along the graphite surface. Moreover, it is found that the modulus of polyimide near the graphite/polyimide interface is higher than that in other regions. The phenomena clearly illustrated that the mechanical properties of polyimide close to the interface are affected dramatically by the graphite sheet.