Abstract: PMMA/graphene nanocomposites were prepared via emulsion polymerization by using dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) as a reactive dispersant which can help graphene nanosheets to be well dispersed in MMA monomer, and their structure and properties were analyzed and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, electronic universal testing machine, impact test machine and high resistance meter. The results indicated that the graphene nanosheets were encapsulated by PMMA with the aid of DMAEMA due to a strong interaction between the graphene nanosheets and DMAEMA derived from their surface functional groups. The introduction of graphene nanosheets improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposite, leading to an increase in Tg by 6.4 ℃ and in Tonset by 38.3 ℃. The addition of graphene nanosheets also enhanced the antistatic property and tensile strength of the nanocomposites but reduced their impact strength slightly.

Key words: graphene, emulsion polymerization, polymethyl methacrylate, nanocomposite