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Expanded graphite is produced on commercial scale using various intercalating agents and physical expansion conditions. Little is known about the different effects these processing conditions may have on the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties when used in composites since these may cause the materials to behave differently. The difference in physical processing conditions is known to cause a change in the degree of exfoliation of expanded graphite as this can be easily characterised; however, little is currently known of the effects which the various available intercalants have on the elemental composition as well potential residues in the final particles. The most common intercalants used are sulfuric- and nitric acid. Expanded graphite can be used to obtain graphene sheets by further exfoliation of the particles to enhance the conductive properties of the filler material. Expanded graphite is much cheaper than graphene and should exhibit greater conductive properties than graphite with increased or equal contribution to mechanical properties. It is the focus of this work to determine the effectiveness of expanded graphite as a better alternative to using graphite to enhance the conductive and mechanical properties of select composite materials and to characterise the differences attributed by two commercial expanded graphite filler particles.

Keywords: Expanded graphite, polyvinyl alcohol, geopolymer, epoxy, electrical conductivity

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