Graphene (Gr) is one of the most preferred reinforcement for polymer matrix, due to its large surface area. However, poor dispersion, due to stacking of Gr sheets, restricts their potential as reinforcement. In the present study, exfoliation of multi-layered graphene sheets is achieved in the presence of nanodiamond (ND), using ultrasonication. High-resolution electron micrographs clearly reveal the role played by ND in hindering restacking of graphene. SPM imaging further quantified exfoliation by measuring the thickness for different combinations of Gr:ND. Improved exfoliation of Gr increases both tensile strength and strain by ∼71% and ∼113%, respectively, for > 0.5wt% Gr content. Fracture toughness is improved by ∼150% with Gr, and an additional 44% with ND decorated Gr. Numerical analysis further confirms the effect of ND assisted exfoliation of Gr in toughening behavior of the composite, which can be explained in terms of improved total interface area, helping in better load transfer.

石墨烯（Gr）由于其大的表面积而成为聚合物基质最优选的增强剂之一。但是，由于Gr板的堆叠，分散性差，限制了它们作为增强材料的潜力。在本研究中，使用超声处理在纳米金刚石（ND）存在下实现了多层石墨烯片的剥离。高分辨率电子显微照片清楚地揭示了ND在阻碍石墨烯重新堆积中的作用。SPM成像通过测量Gr：ND不同组合的厚度进一步量化了剥脱。当Gr含量> 0.5wt％时，改进的Gr剥落可分别将拉伸强度和应变提高约71％和约113％。使用Gr时，断裂韧性提高了约150％，使用ND装饰的Gr时，断裂韧性提高了44％。