Preparation of graphene and inclusion in composites with poly(styrene- b -butadiene- b -styrene)

Abstract The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize nanocomposites containing graphene from intercalated graphite. The graphene was produced by rapid thermal expansion using expandable graphite oxide or obtained commercially. The polymer used was poly(styrene- b -butadiene- b -styrene) (SBS). The SBS was dissolved in p -xylene and the graphene was ultrasonically suspended in the xylene solution. The morphology, dynamic mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of composites were characterized. Graphene at 1% (w/w) (hydrogen atmosphere) was found to increase the storage modulus (68%) and loss modulus (147%) of the glassy state of polybutadiene in SBS. The damping factor of SBS was enhanced by 74% corresponding to the polystyrene phase of SBS using Cheap Tubes graphene. The composites were insulators at 1% (w/w). The styrene groups in SBS strongly adsorb onto the graphenes, preventing a percolation network that would enhance electrical permittivity. Graphene enhanced physical crosslinks of the polystyrene phase to increase the modulus at low concentration. Graphene dispersion using ultrasonic shear depended on π-π interactions between the aromatic rings of the solvent, graphene, and polystyrene. This is a simple, fast, cheap, and scalable way of making high-quality graphene and a new way of graphene dispersal in polymers.