Preparation and comparison of the physical properties of PMMA/thermally reduced graphene oxides composites with different carboxylic group content of thermally reduced graphene oxides

In this study, the effects of different carboxylic groups content for thermally reduced graphene oxides (TRGs) in improving physical properties of PMMA composites was reported. The PMMA/thermally reduce graphene oxides (TRGs) composites (PTC) were prepared by an easy and environmentally friendly UV-curing method in the presence of TRGs with different carboxylic groups content TRGs and then characterized by Fourier-Transformation infrared spectroscopy. The different levels of TRGs with higher carboxylic group contents were observed the better dispersion capability in PTC than TRGs with lower carboxylic groups content and non-functionalized TRGs based on the morphological observation of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The better dispersion capability of the TRGs with higher carboxylic group contents in PTC membranes was found to lead significant enhanced thermal stability (TGA, DSC), mechanical strength (DMA), thermal conductivity (HD) and gas permeability (GPA). (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.