It is of great importance to develop environmentally friendly method for the preparation of graphene and graphene-contained composites for functional applications. In this presentation, a simple and effective method was recognized for preparing graphene/polymer composites by an in situ intercalation polymerization of the monomeric molecules in-site into the graphite layers, leading to separation of graphite into multi- or single-layered graphene hybridized with the polymeric molecules. The structural and morphological characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Firstly, the monomeric cations formed by monomer and H+ tends to be drawn towards the electron-enriched zone and to intercalate into the interlayer of graphite. Subsequently, in situ polymerizations lead to the graphite separating into graphene as a result of the exothermic effect and more vigorous movements of the long chain molecules of the polymer. The interactions between polymer and graphene were confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy as well as Raman spectra.  

As functional applications, this report will present the graphene composites hybridized by two kinds of conductive polymers, polyaniline and polypyrrole, and a thermal-conductive polymer, polyamide-6. The as-prepared conductive polymer composites showed an even lower conductivity compared to that of the hydrochloric acid doped polymer or the graphite, further demonstrating that there were special interactions between polymer and graphene molecules. This can be reckoned that the hybridizing structures may be a good way towards new functional design with broad adjustable parameters of graphene and its composites. Besides, the graphene/polymer composites exhibited a breakthrough in improvement of microwave absorption and/or thermal conductivity.

It is of great importance to develop environmentally friendly method for the preparation of graphene and graphene-contained composites for functional applications. In this presentation, a simple and effective method was recognized for preparing graphene/polymer composites by an in situ intercalation polymerization of the monomeric molecules in-site into the graphite layers, leading to separation of graphite into multi- or single-layered graphene hybridized with the polymeric molecules. The structural and morphological characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Firstly, the monomeric cations formed by monomer and H+ tends to be drawn towards the electron-enriched zone and to intercalate into the interlayer of graphite. Subsequently, in situ polymerizations lead to the graphite separating into graphene as a result of the exothermic effect and more vigorous movements of the long chain molecules of the polymer. The interactions between polymer and graphene were confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy as well as Raman spectra.  

As functional applications, this report will present the graphene composites hybridized by two kinds of conductive polymers, polyaniline and polypyrrole, and a thermal-conductive polymer, polyamide-6. The as-prepared conductive polymer composites showed an even lower conductivity compared to that of the hydrochloric acid doped polymer or the graphite, further demonstrating that there were special interactions between polymer and graphene molecules. This can be reckoned that the hybridizing structures may be a good way towards new functional design with broad adjustable parameters of graphene and its composites. Besides, the graphene/polymer composites exhibited a breakthrough in improvement of microwave absorption and/or thermal conductivity.