Synthesis and properties of waterborne few-layer graphene oxide/poly (MMA-co-BuA) nanocomposites by in situ emulsion polymerization

Abstract

Waterborne few-layer graphene oxide/poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate), FLGO/poly(MMA-co-BuA), nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ emulsion polymerization. The FLGO nanosheets used in this study was prepared by modified Hummers method and followed by an exfoliation process. The obtained FLGO and both latex and film forms of the nanocomposites were characterized in detail. It was found that the interactions between FLGO and copolymer matrix, and therefore the nanocomposite properties including colloidal, morphological, thermal and mechanical were directly dependent on the amount of FLGO in the composite composition. With the addition of 1% FLGO by weight (relative to the monomer), hydrodynamic diameters of the polymer particles in latex increased from 39.7 nm to 92.0 nm and moreover zeta potential value of this nanocomposite latex reached to -85 mV. Also, the nanocomposite film of this nanocomposite showed significant improvements in glass transition temperature (T-g), thermal degradation temperatures and Young's modulus values, comparing with other nanocomposites. The analysis results confirmed that the FLGO was chemically interacted with the poly(MMA-co-BuA), and also finely dispersed in the matrix.