No abstract

Poly(vinylalcohol)/reduced graphite oxide nanocomposites have been synthesised by reducing graphite oxide in the presence of the polymer matrix and coagulating the system with 2-propanol. It has been observed that some interactions occur between the polymer and the reduced graphite oxide layers, mainly by hydrogen bonding. These interactions are responsible for a remarkable change in the thermal behaviour of the nanocomposites. In addition, high electrical conductivity has been achieved at concentrations beyond 7.5 wt% of reduced graphite oxide ($0.1 S cm À1 ), with a percolation threshold between 0.5 and 1 wt%.

Covalent binding of polymers to graphene represents an interesting alternative for the development of novel composite materials with a compendium of interfacial interactions. Through covalent linking, the concept of interface changes from a traditional view of interactions between components, such as van der Waals, hydrogen bonding, and so on, that is to say, at a polymer-filler interface, to a single compound concept where graphene forms an integral part of the polymeric chains. This feature article provides an overview of the strategies currently employed to functionalize graphene with polymers. We focus on the grafting-from and grafting-to methods used to bind polymers to graphene. The advantages and drawbacks, as well as the influence of each method on the final properties, are highlighted.

Combined computational screening and practical assessment of >10 000 solvents for the sustainable liquid exfoliation of graphite to graphene.

The electrochemical oxidation of para-, meta-and ortho-aminophenols was carried out using a platinum electrode in aqueous acid medium. The spectroscopic results indicate that p-aminophenol suffers hydrolysis giving the formation of hydroquinone/pbenzoquinone. CO 2 has been detected by in situ FTIR spectroscopy as the main soluble oxidation product. The m-aminophenol oxidation produces a blocking polymeric film on the platinum surface. The main oxidation products detected by in situ infrared spectroscopy were CO 2 and quinone. Cyclic voltammetry and in situ FTIR spectroscopy were combined to study the redox processes of the conducting polymer obtained in the o-aminophenol oxidation. The spectroscopic results indicate that phenoxazine units are produced during the oxidation/reduction of poly(o-aminophenol).