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Electrochemically modified graphite nanosheets and their nanocomposite films with poly(vinyl alcohol)
Author(s) -
Hu Huawen,
Chen Guohua
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.20968
Subject(s) - materials science , vinyl alcohol , nanocomposite , thermal stability , composite material , graphite , percolation threshold , toughness , glass transition , compounding , electrochemistry , electrical resistivity and conductivity , chemical engineering , polymer , electrode , chemistry , electrical engineering , engineering
Abstract A novel, facile, and environment friendly approach based on electrochemical oxidation and ultrasonication was presented to prepare electrically conductive graphite nanosheets (GNs). The as‐prepared GNs with a large aspect ratio were then incorporated into poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by solution compounding. The GNs can be well and stably dispersed in water medium without the need for polymeric or surfactant stabilizers because of the electrochemical modification and their PVA nanocomposite films exhibit enhanced electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties compared with pure PVA film. Electrical resistivity decreases by 4 orders of magnitude with a percolation threshold of ca. 6 wt%. A significant improvement in thermal stability of 45°C and a large shift in glass transition temperature of 14°C are obtained, together with improved mechanical strength and toughness with the optimal GNs loading. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1770–1775, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.