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This study is focused on the controllable reduction of the graphene oxide (GO) during the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization technique of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The successful modification was confirmed using TGA-FTIR analysis and TEM microscopy observation of the polymer shell. The simultaneous reduction of the GO particles was confirmed indirectly via TGA and directly via Raman spectroscopy and electrical conductivity investigations. Enhanced compatibility of the GO-PGMA particles with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomeric matrix was proven using contact angle measurements. Prepared composites were further investigated through the dielectric spectroscopy to provide information about the polymer chain mobility through the activation energy. Dynamic mechanical properties investigation showed an excellent mechanical response on the dynamic stimulation at a broad temperature range. Thermal conductivity evaluation also confirmed the further photo-actuation capability properties at light stimulation of various intensities and proved that composite material consisting of GO-PGMA particles provide systems with a significantly enhanced capability in comparison with neat GO as well as neat PDMS matrix.

This study reports the utilization of controlled radical polymerization as a tool for controlling the stimuli-responsive capabilities of graphene oxide (GO) based hybrid systems. Various polymer brushes with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution were grafted from the GO surface by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The modification of GO with poly(n-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA), poly(trimethylsilyloxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMATMS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with online Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Various grafting densities of GO-based materials were investigated, and conductivity was elucidated using a four-point probe method. Raman shift and XPS were used to confirm the reduction of surface properties of the GO particles during SI-ATRP. The contact angle measurements indicated the changes in the compatibility of GOs with silicone oil, depending on the structure of the grafted polymer chains. The compatibility of the GOs with poly(dimethylsiloxane) was also investigated using steady shear rheology. The tunability of the electrorheological, as well as the photo-actuation capability, was investigated. It was shown that in addition to the modification of conductivity, the dipole moment of the pendant groups of the grafted polymer chains also plays an important role in the electrorheological (ER) performance. The compatibility of the particles with the polymer matrix, and thus proper particles dispersibility, is the most important factor for the photo-actuation efficiency. The plasticizing effect of the GO-polymer hybrid filler also has a crucial impact on the matrix stiffness and thus the ability to reversibly respond to the external light stimulation.

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The present work investigates the properties and morphology of nanobent/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/epoxy resin hybrid nanocomposites which were successfully prepared by solvent and ultrasonication methods. Nanobent ZS1 were added in amount of 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt% and 5, 10, and 15 wt% for PMMA. The fracture toughness (impact strength and critical stress intensity factor) and flexural properties were evaluated for epoxy composites. Obtained results showed improvement of the epoxy resin mechanical properties due to the addition of PMMA and nanobent. Composites containing 5 wt% of polymeric modifier or 1 wt% nanobent exhibited maximally improved properties. In the case of hybrid composites, synergistic effect was obtained with flexural strain at break and flexural energy to break of hybrid nanocomposite based on 1 wt% nanobent and 5 wt% PMMA. However, epoxy nanocomposites based on 2 wt% nanobent and 5 wt% PMMA showed synergism with IS and brittle fracture energy toward the composites with one modifier. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis confirmed interactions between incorporated modifiers and reactive groups of the epoxy matrix. Moreover, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of hybrid epoxy nanocomposites exhibited a morphology with large plastic yielding associated with significant roughness of the fracture surface with embedment of nanobent in the polymer system. This study clearly demonstrates that the improvement of mechanical properties of the epoxy resin could be attributed to the synergistic toughening effect of PMMA and nanobent without deterioration of thermal stability. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2540–E2551, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers