Functional graphene-rubber nanocomposites

1. A polymer composition, comprising:

a polymer matrix comprising an elastomer; and

a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.

2. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said functional graphene has a bulk density of from about 40 kg/m 3 to 0.1 kg/m 3 .

3. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said functional graphene has a C/O oxygen ratio of from about 60/40 to 95/5.

4. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , comprising 0.1 to 90% by weight of said functional graphene, based on the total weight of said composition.

5. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said functional graphene is produced by a process, comprising:

(a) adding water and/or solvent to graphite, thereby obtaining graphite oxide with spatially expanded graphene interlayers; and

(b) heating the graphite oxide to cause superheating and gas evolution from the water and/or solvent, and decomposition of the graphite oxide;

thereby obtaining said functional graphene which has a surface area of from about 300 m 2 /g to 2600 m 2 /g.

6. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the adding of the water and/or solvent to the graphite results in the substantially complete intercalation and oxidation of graphite.

7. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said functional graphene is produced by removing acids and salts from the graphene interlayers prior to heating the graphite oxide.

8. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said functional graphene is produced by drying the graphite oxide to remove excess water and/or solvent, prior to heating the graphite oxide.

9. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said functional graphene is produced by oxidation of layered graphite to produce graphite oxide.

10. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said functional graphene is produced using an oxidizer.

11. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said polymer matrix comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, copolymers ethylene and propylene, polyesters, nylons, polystyrenes, polyvinyl acetates, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chlorides, polymethylmethacrylates, polymethylacrylates, polycaprolactones, polycaprolactams, fluorinated ethylenes, polystyrenes, styrene acrylonitriles, polyimides, epoxys, polyurethanes and mixtures thereof.

12. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said polymer matrix comprises a rubber.

13. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , which is electrically conductive.

14. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said functional graphene is the form of nano platelets.

15. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said functional graphene has an aspect ratio of more than 100.

16. The polymer composition as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said functional graphene is funtionalized with a functional group.

17. A process for manufacturing a polymer composition, comprising:

adding a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction, to a polymer matrix comprising an elastomer.

18. The process according to claim 17 , further comprising orienting said functional graphene in said polymer matrix.

19. The process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said functional graphene has a bulk density of from about 40 kg/m 3 to 0.1 kg/m 3 .

20. The process as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said functional graphene has a C/O oxygen ratio of from about 60/40 to 95/5.

21. The process as claimed in claim 17 , comprising adding 0.1 to 90% by weight of said functional graphene.