Poly methyl methacrylate-assisted exfoliation of graphite and its use in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene composites.

In this study, we propose the use of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a stabilizing agent for the production of graphene flakes in a low boiling point solvent, i.e., acetone. The graphene dispersions produced in the mixture acetone-PMMA increases the concentration by +175 %, and contain a higher percentage of few-layer graphene flakes (< 5 layers) , e.g., +60 %, compared to the dispersions prepared in acetone. The as-produced graphene dispersions are used to develop graphene/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene composites. The mechanical properties of the pristine polymer are improved, i.e ., + 22 % in the Young's modulus, by adding 0.01 wt. % of graphene flakes. Moreover, a decrease of ~ 20 % in the oxygen permeability is obtained using 0.1 wt. % of graphene flakes filler, compared to the unloaded matrix.
PMID: 32216144 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Chemistry - March 25, 2020 Category: Chemistry Authors: Gentiluomo S, Thorat SB, Del Rio Castillo AE, Toth PS, Panda JK, Pellegrini V, Bonaccorso F Tags: Chemistry Source Type: research