Fabrication and Characterization of Graphene/Polyimide Nanocomposites

Graphene/polyimide nanocomposites with different weight loadings were prepared by a solution compounding technique. Graphene was synthesized from graphite oxide that was fabricated by the Hummers method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectra and simultaneous thermal analysis were used for the microstructure analysis of the graphenes. Graphenes with single layer structure were synthesized successfully and had good solubility in water or other polar solvents due to a few functional groups on the graphene carbons. Graphenes have good thermal stability. Mechanical and tribological properties were studied for the graphene/polyimide composites. The composites have excellent strength and toughness with very small graphene loading level and the addition of graphene decreased the friction coefficient and wear rate of the composites.