pH-Induced Electrostatic Interaction between Polyacrylates and Amino-Functionalized Graphene Oxide on Stability and...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Electrostatic interactions between polymers and nanofillers are crucial for composite properties.
• Polymer-nanofiller composites offer tunable characteristics for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize polyacrylates with varying functional groups and amino-functionalized graphene oxide (NGO).
• To investigate the effects of pH and NGO content on polyacrylate composite properties.
• To understand the influence of NGO on polyacrylate film formation and composite performance.

Main Methods:

• Emulsion polymerization was used to synthesize polyacrylates: P(MMA-BA-AA), P(MMA-BA-HEA), and P(MMA-BA-AM).
• Amino-functionalized graphene oxide (NGO) was prepared from graphene oxide (GO).
• Polyacrylate/NGO composites were fabricated by mixing NGO with the synthesized polyacrylates.

Main Results:

• Surface charge significantly impacts composite properties; P(MMA-BA-AM)/NGO showed instability across pH 2-8.
• NGO addition (0.1 wt%) enhanced P(MMA-BA-AA) and P(MMA-BA-HEA) mechanical properties, increasing break strength by 47% and 31%, respectively.
• NGO improved the thermal stability of P(MMA-BA-AA) and P(MMA-BA-HEA) to varying extents and influenced the entire polyacrylate film-forming process.

Conclusions:

• Surface charge interactions are key to polyacrylate/NGO composite performance.
• P(MMA-BA-AA)/NGO and P(MMA-BA-HEA)/NGO composites exhibit improved mechanical and thermal properties.
• NGO integration offers a viable strategy for designing advanced polymer-based nanocomposites.