Polymer nanocomposite

About: Polymer nanocomposite is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 8977 publications have been published within this topic receiving 297599 citations.

Synthesis of Graphene Peroxide and Its Application in Fabricating Super Extensible and Highly Resilient Nanocomposite Hydrogels

Abstract: Functionalized graphene has been considered as one of the most important materials for preparing polymer nanocomposites due to its unique physical structure and properties. To increase the interfacial interaction between polymer component and graphene oxide (GO) sheets, in situ grafting polymerization initiated by a free radical initiator immobilized on GO sheets is a better choice. We report a facile and effective strategy for preparing graphene peroxide (GPO) via the radiation-induced peroxidation of GO. The formation of peroxides on GO is proven by iodometric measurement and other characterizations. Using GPO as a polyfunctional initiating and cross-linking center, we obtained GO composite hydrogels exhibiting excellent mechanical properties, namely, very high tensile strength (0.2–1.2 MPa), extremely high elongations (2000–5300%), and excellent resilience. This work provides new insight into the fabrication of GO/polymer nanocomposites to fulfill the excellent mechanical properties of graphene.

Polymer Nanocomposites through Controlled Self-Assembly of Cubic Silsesquioxane Scaffolds

Abstract: A novel bottom-up approach to obtain polymer nanocomposites using cubic silsesquioxanes (POSS) nanoparticles as building blocks is reported. The design is based on associative interaction between particles to form ordered nanostructure and limited crystal growth to render anisotropic shapes. Specifically, the affinity between POSS units causes these particles to aggregate and closely pack into a crystalline lattice. The organic polymer, covalently connected to each POSS unit, limits the crystallization into a two-dimensional lattice as demonstrated in random copolymers of polybutadiene and cubic silsesquioxanes. The copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of cyclooctadiene and POSS bearing a polymerizable norbornene group. The polymers were characterized using NMR, DSC, TEM, WAXD, and SAXS. The data from TEM and X-ray diffraction clearly show the formation of two-dimensional lamellar-like nanostructures of assembled cubic silsesquioxanes.

Improved removal of lead(II) from water using a polymer-based graphene oxide nanocomposite

Abstract: Poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) was blended with graphene oxide (GO) to form a PVK–GO polymer nanocomposite capable of adsorbing heavy metal from aqueous solutions. The homogenous distribution of GO in the PVK–GO nanocomposite was determined by X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflectance – infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). The results show that the adsorption capacity of Pb2+ by the nanocomposite increased with increasing amount of GO. This phenomenon was attributed to the increasing concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups available in the nanocomposite. Furthermore, the adsorption of Pb2+ onto PVK–GO nanocomposite was influenced by pH changes. Higher pHs had a better adsorption capacity than lower pHs, due to changes in the nanocomposite surface properties. The highest adsorption capacity of the PVK–GO nanocomposite for Pb2+ was 887.98 mg g−1 and fits well the Langmuir model. This adsorption capacity was achieved using a 10 : 90 wt% ratio of PVK : GO at pH 7 ± 0.5 with a 90 min contact time. The high removal efficiency of this nanocomposite suggests that PVK–GO is effective and can be applied to remove heavy metals from water.