ABSTRACT
In the present study, cross-linked poly (dimethacrylate- urethane dimethacrylate) [poly (BisGMA-UDMA)] functionalized-graphene oxide nanosheets were prepared via single-electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) using the ‘grafting from’ strategy, under mild conditions. This method first involves the covalent attachment of Br-containing groups onto the surface of grapheme sheets to give the initiating-groups-containing graphene (G-Br). After that, the succeeding SET-LRP polymerization in DMSO in the presence of a Cu wire/Me6TREN catalytic system at room temperature leads to the grafting of poly (BisGMA-UDMA) chains onto the graphene surface. The resulting graphene-poly (dimethacrylate- urethane dimethacrylate) (G-PDMA-UDMA) nanocomposites were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, DSC, AFM, FE-SEM, and TEM analysis techniques. It was proved that polymer chains were successfully introduced to the surface of the graphene planes. After grafting with poly (BisGMA-UDMA), the dispersibility of the modified GO sheets significantly improved. When compared to G-PDMA, the resulting G-PDMA-UDMA nanocomposite revealed around 75%, 97%, and 65%, increase in compressive strength, Young's modulus and toughness, respectively. Such smart graphene-based nanocomposites can be used as promising biomaterials in orthopaedic and dental applications with the desired mechanical properties.
Acknowledgments
We wish to express our gratitude to the Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) for partial financial support.