Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization

The goal of this research has been to exploit the amphiphilic properties of graphene oxide (GO) for the preparation of well-dispersed polymer-graphene nanocomposites. In order to achieve this aim, the synthesis of nano-dimensional GO was conducted according to a recent method for the preparation of...

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Main Author:	Che Man, Siti Hajar
Format:	Thesis
Language:	English
Published:	2014
Subjects:	TP Chemical technology
Online Access:	http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/78604/1/StitiHajjarChePFChE2014.pdf
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id	my-utm-ep.78604
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spelling	my-utm-ep.786042018-08-29T07:52:59Z Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization 2014-10 Che Man, Siti Hajar TP Chemical technology The goal of this research has been to exploit the amphiphilic properties of graphene oxide (GO) for the preparation of well-dispersed polymer-graphene nanocomposites. In order to achieve this aim, the synthesis of nano-dimensional GO was conducted according to a recent method for the preparation of small and uniform GO. The ability of GO to function as surfactant was demonstrated in miniemulsion polymerization of styrene and other vinyl monomers of different polarities, in the absence of conventional surfactant. Miniemulsion polymerization was chosen due to its unique characteristic which enables the initial entrapment of GO on the surface of monomer droplets. The formation of ‘armoured’ particles indicated the presence of GO at the surface of particles, consistent with its surface active properties. Polymer particles with diameters ranging from -500 nm to a few microns, with relatively broad particle size distributions were observed. The polarity of the monomers was found to strongly influence the emulsion stability; monomers with a relatively small polar component (based on Hansen solubility parameters) such as styrene, lauryl methacrylate and benzyl methacrylate, generate stable emulsions that can be effectively polymerized. The differences in pH of the emulsion investigated in this research exerted a relatively minor influence on the polymerization, whereas the ionic strength on the other hand had a more significant effect – the presence of a suitable concentration of NaCl resulted in increased colloidal stability and narrower particle size distribution. Poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/GO film resulting from miniemulsion polymerization was visually homogeneous with evidence of preserved ‘armoured’ particles, hence presenting an efficient method for the preparation of polymer/graphene nanocomposites. 2014-10 Thesis http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/78604/ http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/78604/1/StitiHajjarChePFChE2014.pdf application/pdf en public http://dms.library.utm.my:8080/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:98788 phd doctoral Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Chemical Engineering
institution	Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
collection	UTM Institutional Repository
language	English
topic	TP Chemical technology
spellingShingle	TP Chemical technology Che Man, Siti Hajar Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization
description	The goal of this research has been to exploit the amphiphilic properties of graphene oxide (GO) for the preparation of well-dispersed polymer-graphene nanocomposites. In order to achieve this aim, the synthesis of nano-dimensional GO was conducted according to a recent method for the preparation of small and uniform GO. The ability of GO to function as surfactant was demonstrated in miniemulsion polymerization of styrene and other vinyl monomers of different polarities, in the absence of conventional surfactant. Miniemulsion polymerization was chosen due to its unique characteristic which enables the initial entrapment of GO on the surface of monomer droplets. The formation of ‘armoured’ particles indicated the presence of GO at the surface of particles, consistent with its surface active properties. Polymer particles with diameters ranging from -500 nm to a few microns, with relatively broad particle size distributions were observed. The polarity of the monomers was found to strongly influence the emulsion stability; monomers with a relatively small polar component (based on Hansen solubility parameters) such as styrene, lauryl methacrylate and benzyl methacrylate, generate stable emulsions that can be effectively polymerized. The differences in pH of the emulsion investigated in this research exerted a relatively minor influence on the polymerization, whereas the ionic strength on the other hand had a more significant effect – the presence of a suitable concentration of NaCl resulted in increased colloidal stability and narrower particle size distribution. Poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/GO film resulting from miniemulsion polymerization was visually homogeneous with evidence of preserved ‘armoured’ particles, hence presenting an efficient method for the preparation of polymer/graphene nanocomposites.
format	Thesis
qualification_name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)
qualification_level	Doctorate
author	Che Man, Siti Hajar
author_facet	Che Man, Siti Hajar
author_sort	Che Man, Siti Hajar
title	Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization
title_short	Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization
title_full	Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization
title_fullStr	Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization
title_full_unstemmed	Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization
title_sort	synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization
granting_institution	Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Chemical Engineering
granting_department	Faculty of Chemical Engineering
publishDate	2014
url	http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/78604/1/StitiHajjarChePFChE2014.pdf
_version_	1747818026290380800

Synthesis of hybrid polymer/graphene materials using miniemulsion polymerization

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