Intercalation of solid polymer electrolytes into graphite oxide

Intercalation compounds of polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, poly[oxymethylene-(oxyethylene)] and poly[oligo(ethylene glycol oxalate)] into graphite oxide (GO) have been synthesized. The forces of attraction between the polymers and GO are primarily dipole–dipole and/or hydrogen bonding arising from the polar groups in the polymers and the functional groups (COC, COOH, COH and CO) in the GO. Addition of a small amount of dilute NaOH resulted in deprotonation of the acidic functionalities which caused exfoliation of the layered structure. Mixing with polymer solutions, followed by addition of a small amount of HCl induced flocculation of the graphite oxide with the polymers trapped in the gallery space. The resulting composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis.