Colloidal Polymerization

Colloidal polymerization is proposed to solve three common fabrication challenges during fabrication of epoxy/graphene nanocomposites, i.e dispersion of graphene, re-agglomeration of graphene and reduction of crosslink density. Colloidal polymerization eventually improved the dispersion and reduce re-agglomeration occurrence, and provide extra crosslink in epoxy nanocomposites.

By utilizing reactive site of graphene oxide and diamine groups of curing agent, the colloidal mixture of well dispersed graphene in curing agent is obtained, at the same time the graphene were ‘locked’ and reduce re-agglomeration. The covalent bonds between graphene and curing agent serves as extra curing agent prior to curing the epoxy resin.

 

Conventional Mixing vs Colloidal Polymerization