Click-chemistry approach for graphene modification: effective reinforcement of UV-curable functionalized graphene/polyurethane acrylate nanocomposites

This work presents an effective method of preparing graphene reinforced UV-curable materials. Octamercaptopropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OMP-POSS) functionalized reduced graphene oxide (FRGO) was prepared through a thiol–ene click approach and the FRGO/polyurethane acrylate (PUA) nanocomposite was fabricated by UV irradiation technology. The results of transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that OMP-POSS was successfully grafted onto the surface of graphene nanosheets. Thermal and mechanical properties were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The initial degradation temperature, storage modulus at −65 °C and glass transition temperature of FRGO/PUA1.0 nanocomposite were remarkably improved by 12 °C, 57.8% and 10 °C, respectively, compared to those of neat PUA. Those significant enhancements were attributed to the good dispersion of the nanofiller and the strong interfacial interactions between FRGO and PUA matrix.