Load transfer and mechanical properties of chemically reduced graphene reinforcements in polymer composites

We report load transfer and mechanical properties of chemically derived single layer graphene (SLG) as reinforcements in poly (dimethyl) siloxane (PDMS) composites. Shear mixing reduced graphene sheets in polymers resulted in a marked decrease of the 2D band intensity due to doping and functionalization. Raman G mode shifts of 11.2 cm−1 % strain in compression and 4.2 cm−1 % strain in tension are reported. Increases in elastic modulus of PDMS by ∼42%, toughness by ∼39%, damping capability by ∼673%, and strain energy density of ∼43% by the addition of 1 wt% SLG in PDMS are reported.