Graphene is considered a two-dimensional carbon nanofiller with a one-atom-thick planar sheet of sp~2 bonded carbon atoms that are densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice [1,2]. Graphene is predicted to have remarkable performance, such as high thermal conductivity, excellent electronic transport properties and superior mechanical properties. In fact graphene sheets were demonstrated to have extraordinary electronic transport properties, combined with a wide set of other unusual properties: their thermal conductivity and mechanical stiffness may rival the remarkable in-plane values for graphite (3,000Wm~(-1)K~(-1) and 1,060 GPa, respectively). Of particular interest is the fact that their fracture strength should be comparable to that of carbon nanotubes (CNT) for similar types of defects. Therefore, the tensile strength of graphene is similar or slightly higher than CNT, but much higher than steel and Kevlar. Besides they should show a good electrical properties which could deeply modify the conductivity of the polymeric matrix. The superior properties of graphene are also reflected in polymer/graphene nanocomposites, and it is evident that the transfer of such features to polymeric materials usable at the application level, holds a deep scientific interest. Novel graphene-based polymer composites are presently emerging as a new class of highly functional advanced materials that hold promise for a more versatile and cheaper alternative to carbon nanotubes-based composites. In fact, while the addition of carbon nanotubes to polymer matrices has already been shown to improve mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, the challenge is now to exfoliate the graphite to single graphene sheets to be used as an inexpensive and feasible substitute to carbon nanotubes. These nanohybrid materials could show considerable improvement in properties that cannot normally be achieved using conventional composites or virgin polymers. In particular, polymer/graphene nanocomposites show superior, thermal, gas barrier, electrical, flame retardant and mechanical properties compared to the neat polymer. It was reported that the improvement in mechanical and electrical properties of graphene based polymer nanocomposites are much better in comparison to that of other carbon filler-based polymer nanocomposites. Despite the promising applications of graphene in epoxy UV-curable resins, to the best of our knowledge no reports are present in literature so far. Therefore, this paper intend to investigate the effect of graphene on the UV-curing process of an epoxy resin by evaluating the photopolymerization kinetics in real-time and the final thermal viscoelastic properties and electrical properties of the cured materials.
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