Sonochemical Preparation of Functionalized Graphenes

A convenient sonochemical method is described for the preparation of polystyrene functionalized graphenes starting from graphite flakes and a reactive monomer, styrene. Ultrasonic irradiation of graphite in styrene results in the mechanochemical exfoliation of graphite flakes to single-layer and few-layer graphene sheets combined with functionalization of the graphene with polystyrene chains. The polystyrene chains are formed from sonochemically initiated radical polymerization of styrene and can make up to similar to 18 wt % of the functionalized graphene, as determined by thermal gravimetric analysis. This one-step protocol can be generally applied to the functionalization of graphenes with other vinyl monomers for graphene-based composite materials.