In situ thermal reduction of graphene oxide in a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene triblock copolymer via melt blending

Abstract

We report an insitu thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer matrix during a melt-blending process. A relatively high degree of reduction was achieved by melt-blending premixed GO/SEBS nanocomposites in a Haake mixer for 25 min at 225 • C. Infrared spectral results revealed the successful thermal reduction of, and the strong adsorption of SEBS on, the graphene sheets. The glass transition temperature of polystyrene (PS) segments in SEBS was enhanced by the incorporation of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO). The resultant TRGO/SEBS nanocomposites were used as a masterbatch to improve the mechanical properties of PS. Both the elongation at break and the flexural strength of PS/SEBS blends were enhanced with the addition of the TRGO. Our demonstration of the in situ thermal reduction of GO via melt blending is a simple, efficient strategy for preparing nanocomposites with well-dispersed TRGO in the polymer matrix, which could be an important route for large-scale fabrication of high-performance graphene/polymer nanocomposites.

Transport performance in novel elastomer nanocomposites: Mechanism, design and control

“…Due to the excellent dispersion of CNTs, the electrical percolation threshold of the nanocomposite was approximately 0.5 wt%, much lower than the value of 3.5 wt% for nanocomposites fabricated by direct melt mixing [86]. Production of styrene-ethylene-1-butene-styrene block copolymer elastomer (SEBS)/graphene [87], NR/graphene [88], NBR/CNTs [86], and PU/graphene [89] nanocomposites with satisfactory filler dispersion using the masterbatch process has also been reported.…”

Electrically conductive rubbery epoxy/diamine-functionalized graphene nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties

“…As a layered carbon nanomaterial with high aspect ratio and excellent electronic, mechanical and thermal properties [1,2], graphene is widely used in improving electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polymers [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Many studies have shown improved electrical conductivities and mechanical performances for rigid epoxy/graphene nanocomposites [12][13][14].…”

Effect of chemically reduced graphene oxide on the isothermal and non-isothermal phase separation behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) binary polymer blends

“…[25][26][27][28][29] It is envisaged that its large specic area and the oxygen functionalities in graphene allow the enhanced interactions with the polymeric matrix and consequently the better thermal, mechanical, conductive properties. [25][26][27][28][29] It is envisaged that its large specic area and the oxygen functionalities in graphene allow the enhanced interactions with the polymeric matrix and consequently the better thermal, mechanical, conductive properties.…”