Preparation and Characterization of Poly(ethylene oxide)/Graphene Nanocomposites from an Aqueous Medium

• Published in: Journal of macromolecular science. Physics Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 802 - 809
• Main Authors: Lee, Hee Baek, Raghu, Anjanapura V., Yoon, Koo Sik, Jeong, Han Mo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 01.07.2010; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Applied sciences; aqueous dispersion; Composites; conductivity; Crystals; Differential scanning calorimetry; Dispersions; Electrical conductivity; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Graphene; nanocomposite, poly(ethylene oxide); Nanocomposites; Oxides; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Sodium; Technology of polymers; thermal properties; Mixing; Electrical conductivity; Electrical properties; Experimental study; Transformation temperature; Ethylene oxide polymer; Heat of transformation; aqueous dispersion; Dynamic mechanical properties; conductivity; thermal properties; Graphene; Concentration effect; Nanocomposite; Manufacturing; poly(ethylene oxide); Growth from solution
• ISSN: 0022-2348; 1525-609X
• DOI: 10.1080/00222341003603701

The nanocomposite films of a functionalized graphene sheet (FGS) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were cast from the physical blend of an aqueous FGS dispersion assisted by sodium dodecyl sulfate and an aqueous PEO solution. The thermal properties observed by differential scanning calorimetry suggested that FGS had a nucleating effect on the PEO crystallization. However, we found FGS actually hindered the growth of PEO crystals. The dynamic mechanical properties indicated that FGS effectively reinforced the matrix PEO. The FGS also efficiently improved the electric conductivity of PEO. With the addition of 2 parts of FGS per 100 parts of PEO, the conductivity was increased by more than 10 3 -fold from that of pristine PEO.