Graphite oxide/poly (methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites prepared by a novel method utilizing macroazoinitiator

Graphite oxide (GO)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites were prepared with a novel method utilizing macroazoinitiator (MAI). The MAI which has a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) segment was intercalated between the lamellae of GO so that it can induce the inter-gallery polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to bring the exfoliation of GO. The morphology, conductivity, thermal, mechanical and rheological properties of these nanocomposites were examined and compared with those of intercalated nanocomposites prepared by the polymerization with normal radical initiator, 2,2psila-azobisisobutyronitrile. The improvement of conductivity by GO was more evident in exfoliated nanocomposites compared to that of intercalated nanocomposites. The thermal, mechanical and rheological properties also indicated that thin GO with high aspect ratio is finely dispersed and effectively reinforced the PMMA matrix in both exfoliated and intercalated nanocomposites.