Polymer-stabilized graphene dispersions at high concentrations in organic solvents for nanocomposite production

We demonstrate a simple and effective technique for dispersing pristine (unfunctionalized) graphene at high concentrations in a wide range of organic solvents by use of a stabilizing polymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP). These polymer-stabilized graphene dispersions are shown to be highly stable and readily redispersible even after freeze-drying. This technique yields significantly higher graphene concentrations as compared to prior studies. Excellent enhancement in thermal conductivity of the fluid by addition of pristine graphene is also demonstrated. These well-dispersed pristine graphene sheets were then used as a strong and conductive nano-filler for polymer nanocomposites. PVP/graphene nanocomposites were produced via bulk polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone loaded with dispersed graphene, resulting in excellent load transfer and improved mechanical and electrical properties.

[1]  F. Haaf,et al.  Polymers of N-Vinylpyrrolidone: Synthesis, Characterization and Uses , 1985 .

[2]  Sajini Vadukumpully,et al.  Cationic surfactant mediated exfoliation of graphite into graphene flakes , 2009 .

[3]  Xu Du,et al.  Suspended Graphene: a bridge to the Dirac point , 2008, 0802.2933.

[4]  H. Dai,et al.  Highly conducting graphene sheets and Langmuir-Blodgett films. , 2008, Nature nanotechnology.

[5]  Shiren Wang,et al.  Thermal Expansion of Graphene Composites , 2009 .

[6]  C. Macosko,et al.  Graphene/Polyurethane Nanocomposites for Improved Gas Barrier and Electrical Conductivity , 2010 .

[7]  Ji-Beom Yoo,et al.  A facile approach to the fabrication of graphene/polystyrene nanocomposite by in situ microemulsion polymerization. , 2010, Journal of colloid and interface science.

[8]  Zhong-Zhen Yu,et al.  Buckling resistant graphene nanocomposites , 2009 .

[9]  Li Shi,et al.  Two-Dimensional Phonon Transport in Supported Graphene , 2010, Science.

[10]  J. Coleman,et al.  Liquid phase production of graphene by exfoliation of graphite in surfactant/water solutions , 2008, 0809.2690.

[11]  R. Young,et al.  The real graphene oxide revealed: stripping the oxidative debris from the graphene-like sheets. , 2011, Angewandte Chemie.

[12]  J. Coleman,et al.  Quantitative Evaluation of Surfactant-stabilized Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes: Dispersion Quality and Its Correlation with Zeta Potential , 2008 .

[13]  J. Coleman,et al.  High-concentration solvent exfoliation of graphene. , 2010, Small.

[14]  Rodney S. Ruoff,et al.  Effect of Water Vapor on Electrical Properties of Individual Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets , 2008 .

[15]  P. Ajayan,et al.  Direct laser writing of micro-supercapacitors on hydrated graphite oxide films. , 2011, Nature nanotechnology.

[16]  Chunhui Xu,et al.  Preparation of graphene/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties and water resistance , 2011 .

[17]  Andre K. Geim,et al.  Raman spectrum of graphene and graphene layers. , 2006, Physical review letters.

[18]  Yanglong Hou,et al.  Aqueous dispersions of TCNQ-anion-stabilized graphene sheets. , 2008, Chemical communications.

[19]  J. Coleman,et al.  High-yield production of graphene by liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite. , 2008, Nature nanotechnology.

[20]  K. Novoselov,et al.  Graphene-based liquid crystal device. , 2008, Nano letters (Print).

[21]  S. Stankovich,et al.  Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets via chemical reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide , 2007 .

[22]  Andre K. Geim,et al.  Electric Field Effect in Atomically Thin Carbon Films , 2004, Science.

[23]  Qing Hua Wang,et al.  Bi- and trilayer graphene solutions. , 2011, Nature nanotechnology.

[24]  Micah J. Green,et al.  Spontaneous high-concentration dispersions and liquid crystals of graphene. , 2010, Nature nanotechnology.

[25]  Yan Wang,et al.  Molecular‐Level Dispersion of Graphene into Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Effective Reinforcement of their Nanocomposites , 2009 .

[26]  Yansheng Yin,et al.  Preparation and thermal conductivity of suspensions of graphite nanoparticles , 2007 .

[27]  L. P. Filippov,et al.  Handbook of Thermal Conductivity of Liquids and Gases , 1993 .

[28]  Huaqing Xie,et al.  Significant thermal conductivity enhancement for nanofluids containing graphene nanosheets , 2011 .

[29]  Suresh Valiyaveettil,et al.  Flexible conductive graphene/poly(vinyl chloride) composite thin films with high mechanical strength and thermal stability , 2011 .

[30]  Huaqing Xie,et al.  Enhanced thermal conductivities of nanofluids containing graphene oxide nanosheets , 2010, Nanotechnology.

[31]  Klaus Kern,et al.  Electronic transport properties of individual chemically reduced graphene oxide sheets. , 2007, Nano letters.

[32]  M. Xiao,et al.  Direct synthesis of poly(arylenedisulfide)/carbon nanosheet composites via the oxidation with graphite oxide , 2005 .

[33]  N. Koratkar,et al.  Enhanced mechanical properties of nanocomposites at low graphene content. , 2009, ACS nano.

[34]  Mustafa Lotya,et al.  Measurement of multicomponent solubility parameters for graphene facilitates solvent discovery. , 2010, Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids.

[35]  Jonathan N. Coleman,et al.  Development of stiff, strong, yet tough composites by the addition of solvent exfoliated graphene to polyurethane , 2010 .

[36]  Localized in situ polymerization on graphene surfaces for stabilized graphene dispersions. , 2010, ACS applied materials & interfaces.

[37]  Min Xiao,et al.  Preparation and characterization of poly(vinyl acetate)-intercalated graphite oxide nanocomposite , 2000 .

[38]  J. Kysar,et al.  Measurement of the Elastic Properties and Intrinsic Strength of Monolayer Graphene , 2008, Science.

[39]  S. Stankovich,et al.  Stable aqueous dispersions of graphitic nanoplatelets via the reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide in the presence of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) , 2006 .

[40]  Quan-hong Yang,et al.  High-concentration graphene aqueous suspension and a membrane self-assembled at the liquid-air interface , 2011 .

[41]  Xu Du,et al.  Approaching ballistic transport in suspended graphene. , 2008, Nature nanotechnology.

[42]  A. Bourlinos,et al.  Aqueous-phase exfoliation of graphite in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone for the production of water-soluble graphenes , 2009 .

[43]  M. Moniruzzaman,et al.  Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Carbon Nanotubes , 2006 .

[44]  J. Coleman,et al.  Small but strong: A review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube–polymer composites , 2006 .

[45]  Jin Young Jang,et al.  Graphite oxide/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites prepared by a novel method utilizing macroazoinitiator , 2009 .

[46]  Inhwa Jung,et al.  Colloidal suspensions of highly reduced graphene oxide in a wide variety of organic solvents. , 2009, Nano letters.

[47]  Ming Tian,et al.  Improved polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/graphite nanocomposites by solution compounding and spray drying , 2012 .

[48]  R. Clark,et al.  Morphological changes in polyamide/PVP blends , 1998 .

[49]  A. Obraztsov,et al.  Chemical vapour deposition: Making graphene on a large scale. , 2009, Nature nanotechnology.

[50]  G. Boiteux,et al.  Semiinterpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and polyvinylpyrrolidone. I. Thermodynamic state and dynamic mechanical analysis , 2001 .

[51]  R. Ruoff,et al.  Graphene-based ultracapacitors. , 2008, Nano letters.

[52]  Masahiro Fujiwara,et al.  Thin-film particles of graphite oxide 1:: High-yield synthesis and flexibility of the particles , 2004 .

[53]  A. Green,et al.  Solution phase production of graphene with controlled thickness via density differentiation. , 2009, Nano letters.

[54]  S. Stankovich,et al.  Graphene-based composite materials , 2006, Nature.

[55]  Y. Matsuo,et al.  Structure and thermal properties of poly(ethylene oxide)-intercalated graphite oxide , 1997 .

[56]  Byung Kyu Kim,et al.  Properties of Waterborne Polyurethane/ Functionalized Graphene Sheet Nanocomposites Prepared by an in situ Method , 2009 .

[57]  Andre K. Geim,et al.  The rise of graphene. , 2007, Nature materials.