ABSTRACT
Graphite, the most thermodynamically stable form of carbon, has been extensively investigated in the past decades due to its unique layered structure that makes it highly anisotropic. This naturally abundant material is well known for its stiffness and good electrical and thermal properties, thus offering people a great opportunity for reinforcing polymers in a cost-effective way. In addition, the good powder conductivity of 104 S/cm at ambient temperature makes graphite an attractive additive for fabricating conductive
CONTENTS
5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 169 5.2 Exfoliation of Graphite .............................................................................. 171
5.2.1 Exfoliation of Graphite via Electrochemical Oxidation ........... 173 5.2.2 Exfoliation of Graphite via Thermal Expansion ........................ 174
5.3 Modi„cation of Graphite Nanoparticles and Their Polymer Composites .................................................................................. 179 5.3.1 Modi„cation of Graphite Oxide Nanoparticles
with Surfactant ............................................................................... 179 5.3.2 Polymer/Graphite Oxide Nanoparticles Nanocomposites ............................................................................. 179
5.4 Polymer/Graphite Sheets Nanocomposites ........................................... 181 5.4.1 Polymers Reinforced with EG ...................................................... 182 5.4.2 Polymers Reinforced with GNs ................................................... 183
5.5 Modi„cation of GNs .................................................................................. 188 5.6 Exfoliation of Graphite through Ball Milling ........................................ 189 5.7 Graphene Industries .................................................................................. 191 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................. 194 References ............................................................................................................. 195
polymer composites. By changing the content of graphite, the conductivity of polymers can be effectively modi„ed in a wide range between the conductivities of neat polymers and that of the graphite „llers. In addition to excellent electrical conductivity, graphite is also a good solid lubricant and pencil material owing to its anisotropic layered structure. Due to the weak van der Waals-like coupling between graphite layers, the carbon sheets in graphite can easily slide past one another, giving a remarkable lubricant behavior. Graphite ¥akes have been typically employed in the production of rubber composites to provide conductivity and lubricant properties to the matrix.
