The properties of functionalized graphene sheet/poly(ethyl methacrylate) nanocomposites: The effects of preparation method

Poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) nanocomposites reinforced with a functionalized graphene sheet (FGS) were prepared by two different methods; a physical mixing method and an in situ method. The results from thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested the possibility that PEMA molecules could be grafted on FGS, when ethyl methacrylate (EMA) was polymerized in the presence of FGS by an in situ method with a radical initiator, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile. The enhanced interaction between FGS and matrix PEMA observed from tensile storage modulus and rheological properties also demonstrated the possibility of the graft reaction. However, the differences in morphology and conductivity between the nanocomposites prepared by different preparation methods were marginal. That is, in both nanocomposites prepared by two different methods, FGS dispersed finely in the PEMA matrix to effectively make a conductive channel; 3 wt% FGS improved the conductivity by approximately 10 7 -fold compared to that of pristine PEMA.