Grafting from versus grafting to approaches for the functionalisation of graphene nanoplatelets with poly(methyl methacrylate)
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were exfoliated using a nondestructive chemical reduction method and subsequently decorated with polymers using two different approaches: grafting from and grafting to. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with varying molecular weights was covalently attached to the GNP layers using both methods. The grafting ratios were higher (44.6% to 126.5%) for the grafting from approach compared to the grafting to approach (12.6% to 20.3%). The products were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis–mass spectrometry (TGA-MS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The grafting from products showed an increase in the grafting ratio and dispersibility in acetone with increasing monomer supply; on the other hand, due to steric effects, the grafting to products showed lower absolute grafting ratios and a decreasing trend with increasing polymer molecular weight. The excellent dispersibility of the grafting from functionalized graphene, 900 μg/mL in acetone, indicates an increased compatibility with the solvent and the potential to increase graphene reinforcement performance in nanocomposite applications.
Date Issued
2017-09-14
Date Acceptance
2017-08-19
Citation
Macromolecules, 2017, 50 (18), pp.7070-7079
ISSN
0024-9297
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
7070
End Page
7079
Journal / Book Title
Macromolecules
Volume
50
Issue
18
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2017 American Chemical Society
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/K016792/1
EP/K01658X/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Polymer Science
FEW-LAYER GRAPHENE
GRAPHITE-INTERCALATION COMPOUNDS
WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES
MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES
POLYMERIZATION
COMPOSITES
EXFOLIATION
NANOMATERIALS
POLYSTYRENE
SOLUBILITY
03 Chemical Sciences
09 Engineering
Polymers
Publication Status
Published