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Latex co‐coagulation approach to fabrication of polyurethane/graphene nanocomposites with improved electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and barrier property
Author(s) -
Wu Sheng Li,
Shi Tie Jun,
Zhang Li Yuan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.43117
Subject(s) - materials science , graphene , nanocomposite , transmission electron microscopy , scanning electron microscope , oxide , chemical engineering , polyurethane , raman spectroscopy , composite material , polymer chemistry , nanotechnology , physics , optics , engineering , metallurgy
This study describes a simple and effective method of synthesis of a polyurethane/graphene nanocomposite. Cationic waterborne polyurethane (CWPU) was used as the polymer matrix, and graphene oxide (GO) as a starting nanofiller. The CWPU/GO nanocomposite was prepared by first mixing a CWPU emulsion with a GO colloidal dispersion. The positively charged CWPU latex particles were assembled on the surfaces of the negatively charged GO nanoplatelets through electrostatic interactions. Then, the CWPU/chemically reduced GO (RGO) was obtained by treating the CWPU/GO with hydrazine hydrate in DMF. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman analysis showed that the RGO nanoplatelets were well dispersed and exfoliated in the CWPU matrix. The electrical conductivity of the CWPU/RGO nanocomposite could reach 0.28 S m −1 , and the thermal conductivity was as high as 1.71 W m −1 K −1 . The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the CWPU/RGO‐coated PET film was significantly decreased to 0.6 cm 3 m −2 day −1 , indicating a high oxygen barrier property. This remarkable improvement in the electrical and thermal conductivity and barrier property of the CWPU/RGO nanocomposite is attributed to the electrostatic interactions and the molecular‐level dispersion of RGO nanoplatelets in the CWPU matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 43117.