Due to its excellent electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, graphene has a wide range of application prospects in composite materials, electronic devices, sensors, solar cells and other fields. However, graphene is prone to agglomeration and stacking between sheets, which limits its application performance. To solve this problem, it is often necessary to add some additives to improve the dispersion and interfacial properties of graphene in composites.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a commonly used water-soluble cellulose derivative, which has the effects of thickening, suspension, bonding, and dispersing. The addition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose to graphene can effectively improve the dispersion and interfacial properties of graphene. The mechanism of action is as follows:
1.Thickening: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose can increase the viscosity of the solution, thereby slowing down the sedimentation rate of graphene, which is conducive to the stable dispersion of graphene in the solution.
2.Adsorption: The hydroxyl and ether bonds in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose molecule can interact with the surface functional groups of graphene to form hydrogen bonds or - stacking, thereby enhancing the adhesion between graphenes.
3.steric hindrance: The long chain structure in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose molecules can effectively prevent the agglomeration and stacking between graphene sheets, and improve the dispersion and stability of graphene.
4.Formation of cross-linked networks: In composites, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose can form a cross-linked network structure with graphene, thereby improving the mechanical and electrical properties of composites.
In summary, the addition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose to graphene can effectively improve the dispersion and interfacial properties of graphene, thereby improving the performance and application prospects of composite materials.