The preparation of polymer nanoparticles containing reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGO) within their interior has been conducted by radical polymerization in aqueous miniemulsion employing the nonionic surfactant Tween 80. Polymerizations were conducted using the ionic liquid monomer 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([Veim][TFSA]) as well as mixtures of this monomer with ethyl methacrylate (EMA). [Veim][TFSA] plays an important role in that it provides stabilization of rGO monomer dispersions, presumably via π–π interactions between rGO and [Veim][TFSA]. If the EMA:[Veim][TFSA] ratio is too high, rGO precipitates during preparation of the monomer phase of the miniemulsion. Interestingly, it was demonstrated that addition of a small amount of the homopolymer of [Veim][TFSA] leads to significantly improved rGO stability (more so than the effect of [Veim][TFSA] monomer), thus enabling preparation of polymer nanoparticles containing higher amounts of EMA.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	ionic liquid, graphene oxide, miniemulsion polymeerization
Research Division:	Chemical Sciences
Research Group:	Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
Research Field:	Synthesis of Materials
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge in the Chemical Sciences
Author:	Thickett, SC (Dr Stuart Thickett)
ID Code:	106892
Year Published:	2016
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	Chemistry
Deposited On:	2016-02-25
Last Modified:	2017-10-24
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