Water-Borne Polymer/Graphene Nanocomposites

The potential of polymerization in a dispersed system as an attractive technique for polymer/graphene composite synthesis is discussed. This overview is focused on the preparation of graphene/polymer composite materials by two methods: (i) emulsion mixing or blending of polymer and graphene aqueous dispersions, and (ii) in situ polymerization in a dispersed system (emulsion, miniemulsion, microemulsion, and Pickering-stabilized emulsion). Various methods for the stabilization of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) prior to composite preparation are presented, and the established specific interactions between the filler and the matrix are discussed. The determination of the electrical conductivity and the opportunity offered by polymerization in a dispersed system for the formation of a segregated network of graphene filler in the frame of a polymer matrix are presented. The mechanical and thermal properties of the composites are also discussed. A short summary of the open questions regarding the synthesis of water-borne polymer/graphene composites is presented.