Synthesis and properties of poly (4,4′-oxybis (benzene)disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites via in situ ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic oligomers

An effective method for the preparation of poly(4,4'-oxybis(benzene)disulfide)/graphite nanosheet composites via in situ ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic oligomers were reported. Completely exfoliated graphite nanosheets were prepared under the microwave irradiation followed by sonication in solution. The nanocomposites were fabricated via in situ melt ring-opening polymerization of macrocyclic oligomers in the presence of graphite nanosheets. The graphite nanosheets and resulted poly(arylene disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), tensile tester and electrical conductivity measurements. Compared with pure polymer, the electrical conductivity of the poly(arylene disulfide)/graphite nanocomposites were dramatically increased and had a value of about 10(-3) S/cm for the nanocomposite containing 5 wt% graphite. The nanocomposites exhibit as both high performance polymeric material and electrically conductive material. Therefore, they show potential applications as high temperature conducting materials. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.