To develop high performance graphene-based nanocomposites, precise interface control and dispersal of graphene in the polymer hosts are challenging due to its strong interlayer cohesive energy and surface inertia. Here, we firstly report an efficient and novel method to functionalize graphene oxide with 4-aminophenoxyphthalonitrile and successfully compound them with poly(arylene ether nitrile)(PEN) to prepare nanocomposite films. Fourier transforms infrared spectra (FTIR), Raman spectra, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to examine the surface functionalization of the graphene oxide. The resulting PEN nanocomposite, with 0.75 wt% nitrile functionalized graphene oxide (G-CN), revealed an approximate 27% and 68% increase in tensile strength and Young's modulus, respectively, compared to that of neat PEN. The onset thermal degradation temperature (Td5) and the maximum decomposition temperature (Td,max) of the composite with 0.75 wt % of G-CN were increased by 21 and 25 °C compared to those of neat PEN. More importantly, the mechanical and thermal properties of the PEN composite films were further enhanced by the chemical cross-linking reaction of nitriles, which opens a new route to optimize the interface structures and improve the comprehensive performances of graphene–polymer nanocomposites.

Cross-linkable nitrile functionalized graphene oxide/poly(arylene ether nitrile) nanocomposite films with high mechanical strength and thermal stability

Dramatic mechanical and thermal increments of thermoplastic composites by multi-scale synergetic reinforcement: Carbon fiber and graphene nanoplatelet

Synthesis and dielectric properties of polyarylene ether nitriles with high thermal stability and high mechanical strength

http://nanofm.mse.gatech.edu/Papers/PolyChem20140506.pdf

Novel blue-emitting carboxyl-functionalized poly(arylene ether nitrile)s with excellent thermal and mechanical properties

Preparation and dielectric properties of polyarylene ether nitriles/TiO2 nanocomposite film

Polyether nitrite and its copolymers were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile with resorcinol and with varying mole proportions of resorcinol and hydroquinone. The polymers were characterized by different physico-chemical techniques. Thermogravimetric studies showed that all the polymers were stable up to 400°C with a char yield of above 48% at 900°C in N 2 atmosphere. The glass transition temperature was found to increase with increase in concentration of hydroquinone units in the polymer; however no trend was observed in their crystalline melt temperatures. Copolymer composition was determined using FT-IR technique. Crystallinity of the polymers was also studied using wide angle X-ray diffraction.

Synthesis and Properties of Polyarylene ether Nitrile Copolymers

Poly ether nitrile and poly ether nitrile sulfone copolymers with pendant methyl groups were prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2,6′-dichlorobenzonitrile with methyl hydroquinone and with varying mole proportions of methyl hydroquinone and 4,4′dihydroxydiphenylsulfone using N-methyl pyrrolidone as solvent in the presence of anhydrous K2CO3. The polymers were characterized by different physicochemical techniques. Copolymer composition was determined using FTIR technique. Thermogravimetric data reveals that all the polymers were stable up to 420°C with a char yield above 40% at 900°C in N2 atmosphere. The glass transition temperature was found to increase and the activation energy and inherent viscosities were found to decrease with increase in concentration of the 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone units in the polymer. Trimerization reactions are found to be favorable with increase in concentration of methyl hydroquinone units in the polymer. Crystallinity of the polymer was also studied using wide angle X-ray diffraction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1303–1309, 2006

R. Sadhana

Papers

Synthesis and Properties of Polyarylene ether Nitrile Copolymers

Synthesis and properties of poly ether nitrile sulfone copolymers with pendant methyl groups