Fabrication of Conductive, Flexible and Stretchable Polymeric Nanocomposites of PS-PI-PS with Graphene

Abstract

Conductive, stretchable and flexible nanocomposites using a modified approach were synthesized. Graphene, a marvelous material was incorporated in the form of nanoplatelets in PS-PI-PS triblock copolymer employing solvent blending technique as to enhance its thermal, electrical and mechanical properties. SEM, FT-IR, UV/VIS and XRD techniques were employed for the structural elucidation of GNPs and the prepared nanocomposites which also confirmed the homogenous dispersion at nano level. DSC data has revealed increase in both glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature. TGA analysis confirmed that almost 26 °C increment in decomposition temperature of polystyrene region has been observed and nanocomposites are thermally stable up to 350 °C. Nanocomposites are mechanically strong due to reinforcement of GNPs with 90% increase in Young’s modulus and 97% increase in tensile strength. The matrix was highly insulating with 5.4 x10-17 Sm-1 conductivity. As the GNPs were incorporated a dramatic change in electrical conductivity was observed with improvement up to 1.0982 Sm-1at 25% loading. Percolation threshold with a minimum concentration of nearly 5wt.% of conducting GNPs was observed. Such a material with enhanced electrical, mechanical and thermal properties also possessing flexibility and stretchability is a potential candidate for advanced applications such as electronic skin, pressure sensing devices, EMI shielding and stretchable electronics.