Bifunctional RAFT Agent Directed Preparation of Polymer/Graphene Oxide Composites

Polymer/graphene oxide (GO) composites, which combine the physical properties of GO and the processability of polymers, are of increasing interest in a variety of applications ranging from conductive foams, sensors, to bioelectronics. However, the preparation of these composites through physical blending demands the polymers with functional groups that interact strongly with the GO. Here the design and synthesis of a new bifunctional reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent are demonstrated, which allows the synthesis of polymers with predetermined molecular weights and low dispersibilities (), while having functionalities at both polymer termini that allow strong binding to GO. To access polymers with diverse thermal and mechanical properties, acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) copolymers with different types of acrylates, both short and long side chains, are synthesized under the control of the bifunctional RAFT agent. Furthermore, the strong binding between GO and the synthesized polymers is verified and explored to prepare polymer/GO composites with diverse tensile strengths and conductivity in the range of semiconductors. Overall, this novel RAFT agent is expected to expand the utility of polymer/GO composites by providing well-defined polymers with tunable properties and strong binding with GO.

Automated summary

The development of a new bifunctional reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent allows for the synthesis of polymers with predetermined molecular weights and low dispersibilities, while also providing functionalities at both polymer termini that allow strong binding to graphene oxide (GO). By controlling the bifunctional RAFT agent, acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) copolymers with different types of acrylates have been synthesized, enabling access to polymers with diverse thermal and mechanical properties. The strong binding between GO and the synthesized polymers has been verified, leading to the preparation of polymer/GO composites with varied tensile strengths and conductivity properties similar to semiconductors.