Synthesis and Characterization of Polypropylene-grafted Graphene Oxide via "Grafting-to" Method

PP-grafted GO was prepared by the reaction of graphene oxide (GO) containing 2-bromoisobuyryl groups and polypropylene (PP) having hydroxyl groups (PP-OH) via a "grafting-to" method. GO-Br was synthesized by the reaction of GO and 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide under a basic condition. PP-MAH was reacted with ethanolamine to produce PPOH. The melting temperature of PP-grafted GO was shifted to the higher temperature than that of PP-OH. Also, the thermal stability of PP-grafted GO was increased as compared to PP-OH and GO. These results demonstrated that the galled coating polymer PP was effective for enhancing the thermal stability of GO. The higher surface roughness of PP-grafted GO was resulted from the chemical attachment of PP on the surface of GO. The characterization of PP-grafted GO was conducted from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM).