Synthesis of graphene-polymer nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization and characterization

Graphene is carbon based material with 2D structure and has outstanding theoretical potential with its electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. Graphene has sp2 bond and it is the strongest material in the world that is known so far. It has also 2630 m2/g specific surface area which provides variable potential application areas as a nanocomposite. Otherwise graphene has its own limitations because of its own specific properties and it is generally preferred with polymers to produce polymer nanocomposites with greater properties. The huge problem of the graphene is homogeneous distribution in the matrix and that brings much lower properties than expected. To solve that problem, researcher have used surfactants to lower the surface tension and used functional groups to increase the distribution in the matrix. Besides it is effective in the short term it causes the kararlıity problems in the long term. In this manner covalent functionalization is crucial to solve the issue about dispersibility with creating stable bonds further it generate more settled composites. The main purpose of this research is the homogeneous distribution and kararlıity of graphene inside the polymer matrix and increasing the colloidal, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of polymer nanocomposite. Firstly, Graphene oxide is produced with Hummers method and chlornation reaction is applied to functionalize via hydroxyl methacrylate (HEMA) with the exchange reaction of chlorine ions. Secondly, GO functionalized with HEMA is used to synthesize of polymer nanocomposite via in situ emulsion polymerization with butyl acrylate (BuA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polymer latexes and films are prepared. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet visible light (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potantial and particle size analysis are used for characterization of these materials.