Structural, mechanical and dielectric properties of poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) graphite oxide nanocomposites

Graphite flakes were oxidised using the Staudenmaier method to form graphite oxide. Poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid)-graphite oxide and EMAA-expanded graphite oxide nanocomposites were prepared by direct solution blending. The aim was to investigate the effect of various graphite forms on the crystal structure, thermal properties, thermo-mechanical behaviour and dielectric properties of an EMAA matrix. WAXD of the various graphite showed significant change in the diffraction pattern and suggest that intercalation occurred within the graphite layers. However, the presence of graphite did not affect the crystal structure of EMAA. Thermal properties showed the graphite behaved as a nucleating agent for EMAA matrix. The thermal stability of filled EMAA was higher compared with pure EMAA. The thermo-mechanical properties revealed changes in the modulus of EMAA in the presence of graphite. Preliminary dielectric properties of the filled EMAA were altered slightly presumably due to the conductivity of the network structure of the graphite layers. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.