A new poly(L-lactide)-grafted graphite oxide composite: Facile synthesis, electrical properties and crystallization behaviors

A simple method was adopted to prepare poly(L-lactide)-grafted graphite oxide (PLLA-g-GO) by ring opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of graphite oxide (GO) with hydroxyl groups. GO was firstly treated with tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) to create an anchor site on GO, and then reacted with 1,4-butanediol (BD) to afford functional hydroxyl groups grafted onto the surface of GO. So that, the dispersity of GO in the organic solution was enhanced. According to the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the organic composition of GO treated with TDI and BD (GO-TDI-OH) was estimated to be about 13 wt%. Also, using TGA, the composition of GO in the PLLA-g-GOs could be estimated. The hydroxyl groups on the GO surface acted as initiators for the ROP of L-lactide. Further, they also played as a vital role in controlling the molecular weight of the PLLA. The synthesized PLLA-g-GOs were characterized by the FTIR, (HNMR)-H-1 and UV/Vis spectroscopies. The dispersion states of GO in the PLLA-g-GOs were investigated by wide angle x-ray diffraction patterns. According to differential scanning calorimeter study, it was found that GO platelets have nucleating effect on the crystallization of PLLA in the PLLA-g-GO. Additionally, the incorporation of GO improved the electrical conductivity of PLLA, indicating that GOs is a good conducting-modifiers for polymers. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.