Miniemulsion Polymerization of Styrene in the Presence of Graphite Nanosheets

摘要

Graphite nanosheets are composed of a honeycomb arrangement of carbon atoms and are the basis of carbon nanotubes. They have received much attention as a viable filler in composite materials because they offer high thermal and chemical stability and improved electrical conductivity. Therefore, the composites can be a good candidate in electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, radar evasion, rechargeable batteries, conductive inks, and antistatic textiles. However the graphite nanosheets have the strong van der Waals force, resulting in self-aggregation. Such character interrupts a fine dispersion of graphite nanosheets in matrix materials. To overcome such obstacles, a number of research has dealt with surface modification of graphite nanosheets. Therefore, graphite nanosheets/polymer composites have been produced by in situ polymerization such as solution, suspension, emulsion, and bulk polymerizations.