A chemically modified graphene (CMG) with solvent-free flowability and unfolded morphology has been synthesized through an aryl diazonium salts treatment on exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) with a concomitant reduction, which is followed by an ionic interaction with polymeric ionic liquids. This CMG represents a novel family of graphene material that can provide unprecedented opportunities in processing graphene-based composites with conventional solution-phase techniques in absence of any solvent, and may greatly alter the electrical, optical, and mechanical performance of graphene-based composites by achieving a high orientation degree and homogenous distribution of graphene sheets in polymer matrix. Our results demonstrate that the unfolded morphology associated with the liquid nature of graphene sheet is derived from the dense decoration of polymeric ionic liquids, and such unique property illustrates exciting potential of the flowable and unfolded graphene sheets in various applications such as transparent electrodes, supercapacitors, secondary batteries and nanocomposites.

Polymeric ionic liquid decorated graphene sheets exhibiting unfolded configuration and enhanced electrical conductivity

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.