Molecular level dispersion of graphene in polymer matrices using colloidal polymer and graphene.
A novel and environmentally friendly method based on mixing of colloidal polymer particles and graphene sheets has been developed. It is found that colloidal polymers can be employed to stabilize graphene oxide (GO) sheets during reduction to graphene. Adsorption of polymer particles at the surface of graphene layers seems to be underlying mechanism of stabilization of graphene sheets. Surface polarity of the polymer particles is crucial for the successful stabilization of graphene layers. Presence of colloidal particles at the surface of graphene prohibits restacking and agglomeration of nanolayers, resulting in fine dispersion of graphene throughout the polymeric matrix. Formation of strong bond between polar segments of the polymer chain and oxygen groups of graphene sheets generates a strong interface improving final properties of the composites. Inclusion of merely 2 wt% of graphene into an acrylic resin resulted in an increase of 522% and 242% in modulus and hardness, respectively.
Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Mohsen Moazzami
MM
Gudarzi
Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: sharif@aut.ac.ir.
Farhad
F
Sharif