Synthesis of pyrene-capped polystyrene by free radical polymerization and its application in direct exfoliation of graphite into graphene nanosheets

Ion-specific nanoscale compaction of cysteine-modified poly(acrylic acid) brushes revealed by 3D scanning force microscopy with frequency modulation detection

Stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes adapt their physico-chemical properties according to pH and ion concentrations of the solution in contact. We synthesized a poly(acrylic acid) bearing cysteine residues at side chains and a lipid head group at the terminal, and incorporated them into a phospholipid monolayer deposited on a hydrophobic silane monolayer. The ion-specific, nanoscale response of polyelectrolyte brushes was detected by using three-dimensional scanning force microscopy (3D-SFM) combined with frequency modulation detection. The obtained topographic and mechanical landscapes indicated that the brushes were uniformly stretched, undergoing a gradual transition from the brush to the bulk electrolyte in the absence of divalent cations. When 1 mM calcium ions were added, the brushes were uniformly compacted, exhibiting a sharper brush-to-bulk transition. Remarkably, the addition of 1 mM cadmium ions made the brush surface significantly rough and the mechanical landscape highly heterogeneous. Currently, cadmium-specific nanoscale compaction of the brushes is attributed to the coordination of thiol and carboxyl side chains with cadmium ions, as suggested for naturally occurring, heavy metal binding proteins.

Block copolymer synthesis using free-radical polymerization and thiol-maleimide 'click' conjugation

A method of making block copolymers utilizing free-radical polymerization and subsequent polymer conjugation is described. A disulphide functional radical initiator was used to polymerize methacrylic acid and 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid. After purification, the disulphide bond of the end group was cleaved, revealing a thiol group which was used for subsequent conjugation to a polylactide containing the complementary maleimide functional group. The method is versatile and can be applied to the synthesis of various block copolymers without requiring the use of controlled/living radical polymerization methods.

A versatile method of making block copolymers using conventional radical polymerization of acrylic monomers from a functional radical initiator followed by ‘click’ ligation is described.

rGO/GO Nanosheets in Tribology: From the State of the Art to the Future Prospective

In the last few decades, in the lubricant industry, the request for new performing additives has been becoming imperative. In this scenario, control at the nanoscale can be the key factor for the improvement of more efficient nanolubricants. Herein, after a discussion about the nanoparticles’ four main lubrication mechanisms, considerable attention is devoted to the usage of reduced graphene oxide/graphene oxide (rGO/GO) nanosheets in tribology. Moreover, graphene surface functionalization is reviewed, also including unexplored results in the field of lubrication. As far as the literature is concerned, it can be postulated that rGO/GO nanosheets can reduce wear and friction. Wear reduction is obtained by deposition and film formation, while friction reduction is related more to the shear and lamination of the sheets on the contacting surfaces. Nevertheless, the two phenomena are interrelated and work in sync. In this context, it is of high importance to form a homogenous suspension for a continuous nanosheet supply after deposition and shearing. The focus of this review was placed on the main issues still to be overcome, e.g., the literature results in rationalization; dispersion stability enhancement; and finding the optimum concentration in the delicate balance of different components. Possible solutions for their efficient overcoming are eventually reported.

Strong Interaction with Carbon Filler of Polymers Obtained by Pyrene Functionalized Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd Generation Catalyst

Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst that has the alkylidene functionalized with pyrene (HG2_pyrene) was synthesized and characterized. This catalyst can be bound to carbonaceous filler (graphite, graphene or carbon nanotubes) by π-stacking interaction, but, since the catalytic site become poorly accessible to the incoming monomer, its activity in the ROMP (Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization) is reduced. This is due to the fact that the above interaction also occurs with the aryl groups of NHC ligand of the ruthenium, as demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance and by fluorescence analysis of a solution of the catalyst with a molecule that simulated the structure of graphene. Very interesting results were obtained using HG2_pyrene as a catalyst in the ROMP of 2-norbornene and 1,5-cyclooctadiene. The activity of this catalyst was the same as that obtained with the classical commercial HG2. Obviously, the polymers obtained with catalyst HG2_pyrene have a pyrene as a chain end group. This group can give a strong π-stacking interaction with carbonaceous filler, producing a material that is able to promote the dispersion of other materials such as graphite in the polymer matrix.

3-Arm star pyrene-functional PMMAs for efficient exfoliation of graphite in chloroform: fabrication of graphene-reinforced fibrous veils

3-Arm PMMAs end-functionalized by pyrene were designed as dispersing/stabilizing agents for the liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite in low-boiling point solvents like chloroform. The synthetic procedure comprised ARGET ATRP controlled polymerization, click chemistry and the quaternization reaction of triazole, ensuring tailor-made, well-defined pyrene-functional star PMMAs. Among a series of different pyrene-functional macromolecular topologies, the (PMMA-py2)3 proved the most efficient exfoliation agent giving relatively high graphene concentration (0.36 mg ml-1) at exceptionally low polymer/graphite mass ratio (mP/mGF = 0.003) and short sonication time (3 h). A 5-cycle iterative procedure relying on the redispersion of the sediment was developed yielding CG = 1.29 mg ml-1 with 14.8% exfoliation yield, under the favorable conditions of 10.5 h total shear mixing/tip sonication time and overall mP/mGF ratio as low as 0.15. In parallel, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were conducted which helped understand the mechanism by which pyrene-functional macromolecular topologies act as efficient dispersing agents of graphene. Finally the G@(PMMA-Py)3 hybrids were well dispersed into the PMMA matrix by electrospinning to fabricate graphene-based nanocomposite fibrous veils. These graphene/polymer nanocomposites exhibited enhanced stiffness and strength by a factor of 4.4 with 1.5 wt% graphene hybrids as nanofillers.

Aqueous Exfoliation of Graphite into Graphene Assisted by Sulfonyl Graphene Quantum Dots for Photonic Crystal Applications

We investigate the π-π stacking of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with graphene surfaces, showing that such interactions are general across a wide range of PAH sizes and species, including graphene quantum dots. We synthesized a series of graphene quantum dots with sulfonyl, amino, and carboxylic functional groups and employed them to exfoliate and disperse pristine graphene in water. We observed that sulfonyl-functionalized graphene quantum dots were able to stabilize the highest concentration of graphene in comparison to other functional groups; this is consistent with prior findings by pyrene. The graphene nanosheets prepared showed excellent colloidal stability, indicating great potential for applications in electronics, solar cells, and photonic displays which was demonstrated in this work.

Gradient Films of Pristine Graphene/Pyrene-Functional Copolymers with Janus Electrical Properties

We describe the first preparation of polymer-supported pristine graphene thin films with dramatically different electrical conductivities on the top and bottom surfaces. Pyrene-functional stabilizers based on polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) were first synthesized by copolymerization of their monomers with 1-pyrenemethyl methacrylate. Stable dispersions of pristine graphene nanosheets were prepared by sonication of graphite in chloroform solutions of the pyrene-functional copolymers. Vacuum filtration of the polymer-stabilized graphene dispersions through a porous PTFE filter produces films with an internal gradient in nanosheet concentration. This gradient graphene concentration results in an electrically conductive, graphene-rich surface on one side of the composite film and a nonconductive, polymer-rich surface on its other side. Electrical conductivities ranging from 60 to 194 S/m are measured on the graphene-rich surface, which are among the highest conductivities reported for pristine graphene/polymer composites. Through scanning electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry characterization, these films were found to contain three distinct layers: a polymer-rich top surface, a transition layer with a gradient in nanosheet concentration, and a buckypaper-like bottom layer consisting of densely packed, highly oriented graphene nanosheets. The gradient structure of these films and their Janus-like electrical conductivity has potential applications in graded coatings for radiofrequency and optical devices.

Molecular Modeling Combined with Advanced Chemistry for the Rational Design of Efficient Graphene Dispersing Agents

Pyrene-functional PMMAs were prepared via ATRP-controlled polymerization and click reaction, as efficient dispersing agents for the exfoliation of few-layered graphene sheets (GS) in easily processable low boiling point chloroform. In parallel, detailed atomistic simulations showed fine dispersion of the GS/polymer hybrids in good agreement with the experiment. Moreover, the molecular dynamics simulations revealed interesting conformations (bridges, loops, dangling ends, free chains) of GS/polymer hybrids and allowed us to monitor their time evolution both in solution and in the polymer nanocomposite where the solvent molecules were replaced with PMMA chains. Microscopic information about these structures is very important for optimizing mechanical performance. It seems that the combination of atomistic simulation with advanced chemistry constitutes a powerful tool for the design of effective graphene dispersing agents that could be used for the production of graphene-based nanocomposites with tailor-made mechanical properties.