Grafting polystyrene chains to the surface of graphene nanolayers by RAFT polymerization

Graphene oxide was modified with of (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane in low and high different graft densities to yield GOHAL and GOHAH, respectively. Subsequently, 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2- methylpropionic acid (RA) was attached at the surface of GOHAL and GOHAH by an amidation reaction to yield GOHRL and GOHRH respectively. Then, GOHRL and GOHRH were used in grafting from RAFT polymerization of styrene. Molecular weight and PDI values of attached polystyrene (PS) chains were studied by size exclusion chromatography. According to the results, number average molecular weight is decreased by the addition of GOHR content and also graft density of RA. PDI value of PS is lower than the grapheneattached chains

Keywords:

Graphene , modifier , grafting from , polystyrene , RAFT polymerization