title: Localized in situ polymerization on graphene surfaces for stabilized graphene dispersions.
abstract: We demonstrate a novel in situ polymerization technique to develop localized polymer coatings on the surface of dispersed pristine graphene sheets. Graphene sheets show great promise as strong, conductive fillers in polymer nanocomposites; however, difficulties in dispersion quality and interfacial strength between filler and matrix have been a persistent problem for graphene-based nanocomposites, particularly for pristine graphene. With this in mind, a physisorbed polymer layer is used to stabilize graphene sheets in solution. To create this protective layer, we formed an organic microenvironment around dispersed graphene sheets in surfactant solutions, and created a nylon 6, 10 or nylon 6, 6 coating via interfacial polymerization. Technique lies at the intersection of emulsion and admicellar polymerization; a similar technique was originally developed to protect luminescent properties of carbon nanotubes in solution. These coated graphene dispersions are aggregation-resistant and may be reversibly redispersed in water even after freeze-drying. The coated graphene holds promise for a number of applications, including multifunctional graphene-polymer nanocomposites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, USA.
authors.forename: Sriya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Ahmed S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Wajid
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shelburne
authors.forename: Yen-Chih
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Micah J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009757:Nylons / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons; D011108:Polymers; D006108:Graphite