(196s) Mechanical Properties of Maleated Polymer/Graphene Oxide Composites using Graphene Oxide as a Multi-Functional Crosslinker

Many previous studies have shown that mechanical properties of a polymer, such as tensile strength and modulus, can be improved by adding fillers at the cost of reducing the ductility of the polymer. The vast majority of composites that have been examined have been physically mixed or compounded. In this research, we propose a method to utilize graphene oxide (GO) as a multi-functional crosslinker where covalent bonds may be formed with maleic anhydride grafted styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS-g-MA). This study illustrates reaction can occur even at room temperature to form a mechanically robust elastomer. Owing to the hydrophobicity of the composite accompanied by its excellent mechanical properties, this composite material could be used practically as an anti-corrosion coating.