title: Single-Step Functionalization and Exfoliation of Graphene with Polymers under Mild Conditions.
abstract: The simultaneous polymer functionalization and exfoliation of graphene sheets by using mild bath sonication and heat treatment at low temperature is described. In particular, free-radical polymerization of three different vinyl monomers takes place in the presence of graphite flakes. The polymerization procedure leads to the exfoliation of graphene sheets and at the same time the growing polymer chains are attached onto the graphene lattice, which gives solubility and stability to the final graphene-based hybrid material. The polymer-functionalized graphene sheets possess fewer defects as compared with previously reported polymer-functionalized graphene. The success of the covalent functionalization and exfoliation of graphene was confirmed by using a variety of complementary spectroscopic, thermal, and microscopy techniques, including Raman, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Contantinou Avenue, Athens 11635 (Greece).
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skaltsas
authors.affiliation: Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Contantinou Avenue, Athens 11635 (Greece).
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mountrichas
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602 (Japan).
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602 (Japan).
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.affiliation: Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Contantinou Avenue, Athens 11635 (Greece). tagmatar@eie.gr.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tagmatarchis
authors.affiliation: Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Contantinou Avenue, Athens 11635 (Greece). pispas@eie.gr.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pispas
keywords: functionalization; graphene; liquid exfoliation; polymerization; polymers