Synthesis of Reduced Graphene Oxide Functionalized with Poly (o-anisidine) through in-situ Oxidative Polymerization

The reduced graphene oxide functionalized with poly (o-anisidine) (RGO/POA) nanohybrids were synthesized through an in-situ oxidative polymerization in the presence of RGO. The formation of the graphene and its composites were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy techniques. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of the nanocomposites which showed the uniform distribution of RGO sheets within the POA matrix. Furthermore, the X-ray photoelectron microscopy results showed the reduced oxygen content and N1s peak of the composites which confirmed the reduction reaction and presence of adsorbed POA chains on the surface of the RGO. The incorporation of RGO exhibited profound effect on the thermal stability of the POA chains. The enhanced thermal stability implies a synergistic effect between two components.