Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Polystyrene/graphene oxide (PSt/GO) nanocomposite latexes have been prepared by Pickering miniemulsion polymerization in the presence of the conventional surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in order to investigate its influence on the polymerization mechanism. Miniemulsion polymerization of styrene can be conducted successfully using GO as the sole surfactant, but the polymerization rate is very low. In the presence of SDS, a significant rate enhancement is observed. It has been clarified that the presence of SDS leads to additional nucleation pathways besides monomer droplet nucleation, namely nucleation involving free GO sheets in the aqueous phase as well as homogeneous nucleation. These mechanistic pathways are consistent with the rate enhancement and the increase in molecular weight as well as experimentally observed particle distributions in the presence of SDS. The present results represent a significant step forward in terms of our understanding of the fundamental polymerization mechanism of this Pickering miniemulsion system, which will aid in the preparation of advanced nanocomposite materials based on polymers and graphene (oxide).

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Fadil, Y and Jasinski, F and Guok, TW and Thickett, SC and Minami, H and Zetterlund, PB
Keywords:	graphene oxide, miniemulsion polymerization, nanoparticle synthesis, surfactant, Pickering stabilizer
Journal or Publication Title:	Polymer Chemistry
Publisher:	Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:	1759-9954
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1039/c8py00667a
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2018 The Royal Society of Chemistry
Related URLs:	Google Scholar: Thickett, SC UTAS Profile: Thickett, SC
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page