Surface modifications of graphene-based polymer nanocomposites by different synthesis techniques

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/opl.2012.1455

With the appropriate surface treatments, graphene sheets can be separated from graphite material and the layer-to-layer distance can be extended. In the present work, graphene nanosheets (GNS) were separated from graphite by an improved, safer and mild method including the steps of oxidation, thermal expansion, ultrasonic treatment and chemical reduction. For the production of advanced polymer nanocomposites, the distinguished properties of GNS were combined with the structural properties of conducting polypyrrole by the proposed simple and low-cost fabrication technique. The changes in surface morphologies and surface functional groups were estimated by controlling the polymer coating on graphite oxide (GO) sheets, expanded GO and GNS.