Abstract
Graphite nanosheets obtained from sonicating expanded graphite were coated chemically with magnetite nanoparticles. The modified graphite nanosheets were dispersed in epoxy or unsaturated polyester prepolymer, and subjected to a magnetic field before the suspension solidified. Composites with graphite nanosheets of highly ordered alignment have been prepared via the described approach. Several techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical microscopy were used to characterize the modified graphite nanosheets and the polymer/graphite nanosheet composites.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank for the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (20574025) and of Fujian Province (2005HZ01-4), and the NCET project.