High-yield exfoliation of graphite in acrylate polymers: A stable few-layer graphene nanofluid with enhanced thermal conductivity

High-yield exfoliation of pristine graphite in low boiling point alcohols was achieved using a set of acrylate polymers resulting in few-layer graphene concentrations of up to similar to 4 mg mL(-1). The polymer showed superior dispersing capabilities for graphene compared to the best reported dispersants, including the solvent N-methyl-pyrrolidone, the surfactants sodium cholate and sodium taurodeoxycholate, and the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone. The dispersions were stable regardless of freezing (-26 degrees C) or heating (70 degrees C) for 24 h, or dilution with water up to 80% volume ratio over 160 h. The as-obtained nanofluid exhibited an enhancement in thermal conductivity suggesting a great potential in coolant applications. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.