The Role of Fluorinated IL as an Interfacial Agent in P(VDF-CTFE)/Graphene Composite Films

Abstract

The incorporation of graphene into a polymer matrix can endow composites with extended functions. However, it is difficult to well disperse pristine graphene into a polymer matrix in order to obtain polymer nanocomposites due to the lack of functional groups on the surface for bonding with a polymer matrix. Herein, we investigated the role of fluorinated ionic liquid (IL) as a new interfacial agent in poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-CTFE))/graphene composite films. First, a task-specific IL, perfluorooctyltriphenylphosphonium iodide (IL-C8F13), was synthesized and adsorbed on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for making functional nanofillers which were capable of being incorporated into the P(VDF-CTFE) matrix. The cation structure of IL combined three phenyls (potential π–π interactions with graphene) and a short fluorinated chain (enhanced miscibility with fluorinated matrix via dipolar interactions) to make a compatible graphene filler and P(VDF-CTFE) matrix at the interface among them. Second, two series of P(VDF-CTFE)/GO-IL and P(VDF-CTFE)/rGO-IL composites with different loading contents were prepared with the goal of providing an understanding of the mechanism of interfacial interactions. This paper investigated the difference in the interaction model between GO with IL and rGO with IL. Subsequently, the interfacial effect of IL on the properties of P(VDF-CTFE)/graphene composites, such as crystallization, chain segmental relaxation behavior, dispersion, and the final dielectric properties will be further studied.