title: Highly efficient synthesis of graphene nanocomposites.
abstract: Graphene consists of a monolayer of sp(2) bonded carbon atoms and has attracted considerable interest over recent years due to its extreme mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Graphene nanocomposites have naturally begun to be studied to capitalize upon these properties. A range of complex chemical and physical processing methods have been devised that achieve isolated graphene sheets that attempt to prevent aggregation. Here we demonstrate that the simple casting of a polymer solution containing dispersed graphene oxide, followed by thermal reduction, can produce well-isolated monolayer reduced-graphene oxide. The presence of single layer reduced-graphene oxide is quantitatively demonstrated through transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction studies and the reduction is verified by thermogravimetric, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectrum, and electrical conductivity studies. These findings provide a simple, environmentally benign and commercially viable process to produce reduced-graphene oxide reinforced polymers without complex manufacturing, dispersion or reduction processes.
authors: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
authors: Haixiong
authors: H
authors: Tang
authors: Gregory J
authors: GJ
authors: Ehlert
authors: Yirong
authors: Y
authors: Lin
authors: Henry A
authors: HA
authors: Sodano
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D006108:Graphite