Abstract

Functionalized graphene manufacturing usually consists of two consecutive steps of graphene production and functionalization, which are mainly accompanied with several reaction routes and waste generation. Herein, we demonstrated a facile one-step method for the simultaneous exfoliation of graphite and surface functionalization of the resulting graphene using electrochemical approach. We showed that presence of a water soluble acrylate monomer e.g., n-butyl acrylate in an ammonium sulphate electrolyte solution can functionalize graphene through in situ polymerized n-butyl acrylate monomers during electrochemical exfoliation. Overall yield for electrochemically synthesized and functionalized graphene nanosheets was ~25% with respect to as-received natural graphite, which contain at least 80% few-layer nanosheets with a thickness less than 7 nm. It was found that these electrochemically produced and functionalized nanosheets can serve as a potential reinforcing agent in fabrication of thermoset and thermoplastic-elastomer polymer nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical performance.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.