Formulation of chemically reduced graphene oxide assembly with poly(4-vinyl pyridine) through noncovalent interaction

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2013-11, Vol.130 (4), p.2538-2543
• Main Authors: Lee, Mi Yeon, Nam, Su Hyun, Lee, Jung Yup, Abdullah-Al-Nahain, Lee, Sangkug, Park, Cheol Min, Han, Chul Jong, Park, Sung Young, In, Insik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Materials science; nanoparticles; nanostructured polymers; nanowires and nanocrystals; optical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; self-assembly; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.39468

ABSTRACT Soluble chemically reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) assembly was attempted by totally noncovalent approach. Chemical reduction of P4VP/GO mixture by hydrazine produced soluble RGO/P4VP assembly with long term stability. Prepared RGO/P4VP assembly showed pH‐dependent variation of optical transmittance. Transmittance of RGO/P4VP assembly solution at pH 2.0 dramatically increased more than 200% of transmittance of assembly at pH 6. This optical transmittance change was fully reversible. The detailed morphological features of assemble was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is estimated that RGO/P4VP assemblies were well separated each other at pH 6, enabling much higher optical absorption of RGO plates. At pH 2, protonation of pyridine ring occurs and this might hamper effective noncovalent interaction between RGO plate and protonated P4VP chains, forming bigger aggregates having less chance for optical absorption. This pH‐dependent optical modulation of RGO/P4VP assembly can be useful for the designing of pH‐sensor, removable nanocatalyst, and targeted drug delivery, etc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2538–2543, 2013