Improved polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/graphite nanocomposites by solution compounding and spray drying.

In order to evaluate the roles of graphite dispersion on the functional properties of the composites, PVP/graphite nanocomposites were prepared by blending the aqueous suspension of expanded graphite sheets and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) aqueous solution by ultrasonic treatment, followed by spray drying and direct drying as a comparison individually. The effects of graphite loading and drying method on the dispersion of graphite and the resultant properties of the composites such as electrical and thermal conductivity, friction, and dynamic mechanical properties were studied. The results from transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction showed that the composites prepared by fast spray drying exhibited a higher degree of exfoliation and a better dispersion of graphite sheets in the PVP matrix than the corresponding composites prepared by direct drying, leading to a conclusion that fast spray drying can effectively prevent from re-stacking of the exfoliated graphite sheets as illustrated. As a result, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed significant increases in the storage modulus and glass transition temperature for the composites prepared by spray drying. Besides, the spray drying as well greatly improved the electrical and thermal conductivity of the composites. It was also found that the electrical and thermal conductivity of the composites strongly depended on the graphite dispersion, while the friction coefficient unexpectedly does not. Increasing graphite loading level might enhance the probability of graphite sheets re-stacking, resulting in poor graphite dispersion. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]