Reinforcement of polystyrene using edge-styrene graphitic nanoplatelets

Abstract Edge-styrene graphitic nanoplatelets (StGnPs) were prepared by the in-situ mechanochemical reaction between graphite and styrene without additional chemical reaction (e.g. functionalization). The resultant StGnPs exhibited excellent properties including good dispersibility in organic solvents, to use an efficient reinforcing additive for polystyrene (PS) that is one of the most widely used plastics. StGnP/PS nanocomposites were prepared easily via a facile solution process method. Compared to pure PS, the StGnP/PS nanocomposites exhibited significantly enhanced mechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength, yield strength, Young's modulus, and tensile toughness) along with improved thermal stability. The StGnP/PS nanocomposites showed efficient load transfer from the PS matrix to the StGnPs because of the good dispersibility and compatibility of the StGnPs in the PS matrix. And also, the mechanochemical reaction showed that GnPs having remarkable compatibility of various polymers can be produced freely.