Bifunctional RAFT Agent Directed Preparation of Polymer/Graphene Oxide Composites

Abstract

Polymer/graphene oxide (GO) composites, which combine the physical properties of GO and the processability of polymers, are of increasing interest in a variety of applications ranging from conductive foams, sensors, to bioelectronics. However, the preparation of these composites through physical blending demands the polymers with functional groups that interact strongly with the GO. Here the design and synthesis of a new bifunctional reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent are demonstrated, which allows the synthesis of polymers with predetermined molecular weights and low dispersibilities (Ð), while having functionalities at both polymer termini that allow strong binding to GO. To access polymers with diverse thermal and mechanical properties, acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylate (ASA) copolymers with different types of acrylates, both short and long side chains, are synthesized under the control of the bifunctional RAFT agent. Furthermore, the strong binding between GO and the synthesized polymers is verified and explored to prepare polymer/GO composites with diverse tensile strengths and conductivity in the range of semiconductors. Overall, this novel RAFT agent is expected to expand the utility of polymer/GO composites by providing well‐defined polymers with tunable properties and strong binding with GO.

Structure and Properties of Polystyrene-Co-Acrylonitrile/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites

“…Graphene is a two-dimensional material of monolayers of carbon packed in a hexagonal structure. The geometry of graphene, e.g., high surface area and high aspect ratio, plays a crucial role in making it an efficient reinforcing filler in polymer matrices at low loadings [4,5]. Graphene-based polymer nanocomposites have become widely researched during the last two decades attributable to their excellent physical and mechanical performance [6].…”

“…The achievement of a good dispersion of pristine graphene in polymer matrices is a challenging task due to the lack of functional groups on its surfaces for interacting with polymer matrices, the strong tendency of nano-sheets to stack together, etc. The production of GO has overcome these drawbacks and paved the way for the preparation of polymer/graphene nanocomposites with high performance [5].…”