Preparation of graphene dispersions and graphene-polymer composites in organic media

Abstract

Graphene nanosheets in the form of chemically reduced graphene oxide have been prepared in organic media without the need to chemically functionalise the starting graphene oxide nanosheets. The preparation procedure is simple and similar to that previously used for the production of stable aqueous dispersions of graphene nanosheets. The resulting organic dispersions are homogeneous, exhibit long-term stability and are made up of graphene sheets a few hundred nanometres large. The ability to prepare graphene dispersions in organic media facilitates their combination with polymers, such as polyacrylonitrile and poly(methyl methacrylate), to yield homogeneous composites.