Home Mechanical and thermal properties of graphene reinforced poly (lactic acid) composites for battery casing in electric vehicles
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Mechanical and thermal properties of graphene reinforced poly (lactic acid) composites for battery casing in electric vehicles

  • Yusuf Jameel , Abdul Halim Muhammad Firdaus , Mohd Sapuan Salit ORCID logo EMAIL logo and Nazrin Asmawi
Published/Copyright: March 28, 2025
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

This study explores the development of graphene-reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites as a sustainable material for electric vehicle (EV) battery casings. By incorporating graphene, a two-dimensional nanomaterial known for its exceptional mechanical and thermal properties, the PLA matrix exhibits significant improvements in performance. The optimized graphene content enhances the composite’s tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and ductility, ensuring robust mechanical protection for battery components. Additionally, graphene significantly increases the thermal conductivity of the composite, promoting effective heat dissipation and mitigating thermal degradation risks during battery operation. The research demonstrates the ability of graphene to act as a gas barrier, preventing the diffusion of oxygen and volatile by-products, which contributes to improved thermal stability and prolonged material durability. By tailoring the graphene loading and ensuring uniform dispersion, the composite achieves a balance between mechanical strength and thermal performance, making it ideal for lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly applications. This study underscores the potential of graphene-PLA composites in advancing sustainable technologies, particularly in the EV sector. It provides a foundation for future research aimed at optimizing fabrication methods, exploring synergistic filler combinations, and validating real-world performance to support the broader adoption of environmentally friendly materials in high-performance applications.


Corresponding author: Mohd Sapuan Salit, Advanced Engineering Materials and Composites Research Centre (AEMC), Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia, E-mail:

Funding source: Putra IPS

Award Identifier / Grant number: 9742900

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the editors S.M. Sapuan, Mohd Roshdi Hassan, Eris Elianddy Supeni and Azizan As’arry for their guidance and review of this article before its publication.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: J. Yusuf: writing – original draft. A.H.M. Firdaus: writing original, Nazrin Asmawi– original draft. S.M. Sapuan: supervision. All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest

  6. Research funding: Putra IPS vote number 9742900.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

References

1. Wang, D, You, F, Hu, GH. Graphene/polymer nanocomposites with high dielectric performance: interface engineering. Berlin, Europe: Elsevier Inc.; 2015.10.1007/978-3-319-13875-6_3Search in Google Scholar

2. Mohan, VB, Tak Lau, K, Hui, D, Bhattacharyya, D. Graphene-based materials and their composites: a review on production, applications and product limitations. Composites Part B 2018;142:200–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.01.013.Search in Google Scholar

3. Remanan, S, Das, TK, Das, NC. Graphene as a reinforcement in thermoset resins. Polym Nanocomposites Contain Graphene Prep Prop Appl 2022:317–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821639-2.00012-4.Search in Google Scholar

4. Silva, M, Pinho, IS, Covas, JA, Alves, NM, Paiva, MC. 3D printing of graphene-based polymeric nanocomposites for biomedical applications. Funct Compos Mater 2021;2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42252-021-00020-6.Search in Google Scholar

5. Khammassi, S, Tarfaoui, M, Škrlová, K, Měřínská, D, Plachá, D, Erchiqui, F. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA)-Based nanocomposites: impact of vermiculite, silver, and graphene oxide on thermal stability, isothermal crystallization, and local mechanical behavior. J Compos Sci 2022;6. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs6040112.Search in Google Scholar

6. Kim, M, Jeong, JH, Lee, JY, Capasso, A, Bonaccorso, F, Kang, SH, et al.. Electrically conducting and mechanically strong graphene-polylactic acid composites for 3D printing. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019;11:11841–8. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b03241.Search in Google Scholar PubMed

7. Gao, W, Li, X, Ma, M, Fu, Y, Jiang, J, Mi, C. Case study of an electric vehicle battery thermal runaway and online internal short-circuit detection. IEEE Trans Power Electron 2021;36:2452–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2020.3013191.Search in Google Scholar

8. Burd, JTJ, Moore, EA, Ezzat, H, Kirchain, R, Roth, R. Improvements in electric vehicle battery technology influence vehicle lightweighting and material substitution decisions. Appl Energy 2021;283:116269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116269.Search in Google Scholar

9. Cywar, RM, Rorrer, NA, Hoyt, CB, Beckham, GT, Chen, EY-X. Bio-based polymers with performance-advantaged properties. Nat Rev Mater 2022;7:83–103. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00363-3.Search in Google Scholar

10. Wang, Y, Desroches, GJ, Macfarlane, RJ. Ordered polymer composite materials: challenges and opportunities. Nanoscale 2021;13:426–43. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0NR07547G.Search in Google Scholar

11. Cojocaru, V, Frunzaverde, D, Miclosina, C-O, Marginean, G. The influence of the process parameters on the mechanical properties of PLA specimens produced by fused filament fabrication – a review. Polymers 2022;14:886. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050886.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

12. Aumnate, C, Potiyaraj, P, Saengow, C, Giacomin, AJ. Reinforcing polypropylene with graphene-polylactic acid microcapsules for fused-filament fabrication. Mater Des 2021;198:109329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2020.109329.Search in Google Scholar

13. Chen, Y, Kang, Y, Zhao, Y, Wang, L, Liu, J, Li, Y, et al.. A review of lithium-ion battery safety concerns: the issues, strategies, and testing standards. J Energy Chem 2021;59:83–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jechem.2020.10.017.Search in Google Scholar

14. Camargos, PH, dos Santos, PHJ, dos Santos, IR, Ribeiro, GS, Caetano, RE. Perspectives on Li-ion battery categories for electric vehicle applications: a review of state of the art. Int J Energy Res 2022;46:19258–68. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.7993.Search in Google Scholar

15. He, L, Jing, H, Zhang, Y, Li, P, Gu, Z. Review of thermal management system for battery electric vehicle. J Energy Storage 2023;59:106443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2022.106443.Search in Google Scholar

16. Song, Z, Pan, Y, Chen, H, Zhang, T. Effects of temperature on the performance of fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles: a review. Appl Energy 2021;302:117572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117572.Search in Google Scholar

17. Ruz-Cruz, MA, Herrera-Franco, PJ, Flores-Johnson, EA, Moreno-Chulim, MV, Galera-Manzano, LM, Valadez-González, A. Thermal and mechanical properties of PLA-based multiscale cellulosic biocomposites. J Mater Res Technol 2022;18:485–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.02.072.Search in Google Scholar

18. Fu, W, Xu, X, Wu, H. Mechanical and biodegradable properties of l-lactide-grafted sisal fiber reinforced polylactide composites. J Reinforc Plast Compos 2014;33:2034–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/0731684414552684.Search in Google Scholar

19. Faludi, G, Hári, J, Renner, K, Móczó, J, Pukánszky, B. Fiber association and network formation in PLA/lignocellulosic fiber composites. Compos Sci Technol 2013;77:67–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2013.01.006.Search in Google Scholar

20. Huang, L, Zhang, X, Xu, M, Chen, J, Shi, Y, Huang, C, et al.. Preparation and mechanical properties of modified nanocellulose/PLA composites from cassava residue. AIP Adv 2018;8:25116. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5023278.Search in Google Scholar

21. Birnin-Yauri, AU, Ibrahim, NA, Zainuddin, N, Abdan, K, Then, YY, Chieng, BW. Effect of maleic anhydride-modified poly(lactic acid) on the properties of its hybrid fiber biocomposites. Polymers 2017;9:165. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9050165.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

22. Johari, AP, Mohanty, S, Kurmvanshi, SK, Nayak, SK. Influence of different treated cellulose fibers on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid). ACS Sustainable Chem Eng 2016;4:1619–29. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5b01563.Search in Google Scholar

23. Gu, T, Sun, D, Qi, X, Yang, J, Zhao, C, Lei, Y, et al.. Synchronously enhanced thermal conductivity and heat resistance in poly(L-lactide)/graphene nanoplatelets composites via constructing stereocomplex crystallites at interface. Composites Part B 2021;224:109163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.109163.Search in Google Scholar

24. Wijerathne, D, Gong, Y, Afroj, S, Karim, N, Abeykoon, C. Mechanical and thermal properties of graphene nanoplatelets-reinforced recycled polycarbonate composites. Int J Light Mater Manuf 2023;6:117–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlmm.2022.09.001.Search in Google Scholar

25. Gonçalves, C, Pinto, A, Machado, AV, Moreira, J, Gonçalves, IC, Magalhães, F. Biocompatible reinforcement of poly(Lactic acid) with graphene nanoplatelets. Polym Compos 2018;39:E308–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.24050.Search in Google Scholar

26. Adesina, OT, Jamiru, T, Sadiku, ER, Ogunbiyi, OF, Adegbola, TA. Water absorption and thermal degradation behavior of graphene reinforced poly(lactic) acid nanocomposite. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 2019;627. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/627/1/012015.Search in Google Scholar

27. Spinelli, G, Guarini, R, Kotsilkova, R, Batakliev, T, Ivanov, E, Romano, V. Experimental and simulation studies of temperature effect on thermophysical properties of graphene-based polylactic acid. Materials 2022;15:986. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15030986.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

28. Bird, RB. Transport phenomena. Appl Mech Rev 2002;55:R1–4. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1424298.Search in Google Scholar

29. Kostagiannakopoulou, C, Fiamegkou, E, Sotiriadis, G, Kostopoulos, V. Thermal conductivity of carbon nanoreinforced epoxy composites. J Nanomater 2016;2016:1847325. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1847325.Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2024-08-27
Accepted: 2025-01-28
Published Online: 2025-03-28

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Downloaded on 19.11.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/psr-2024-0023/pdf
Scroll to top button