The formation of a segregated network structure (wittingly uneven distribution of a filler) is one of the most promising strategies for the fabrication of electrically conductive polymer composites at present. However, the simultaneous achievement of high values of electrical conductivity with the retention of well mechanical properties within this approach remains a great challenge. Here, by means of X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dielectric spectroscopy, and compression engineering stress–strain curve analysis, we have studied the effect of a segregated network structure on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of a set of polymer composites. The composites were prepared by applying graphene oxide (GO) with ultralarge basal plane size (up to 150 μm) onto the surface of polymer powder particles, namely, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TFE)), and ultrahigh-molecular-weight poly(ethylene) (UHMWPE) with the subsequent GO reduction and composite hot pressing. A strong dependence of the segregated network polymer composites’ physical properties on the polymer matrix was demonstrated. Particularly, 12 orders of magnitude rise of the polymers’ electrical conductivity up to 0.7 S/m was found upon the incorporation of the reduced GO (rGO). A 17% increase in the P(VDF-TFE) elastic modulus filled by 1 wt % of rGO was observed. Fracture strength of PVC/rGO at 0.5 wt % content of the filler was demonstrated to decrease by fourfold. At the same time, the change in strength was not significant for P(VDF-TFE) and UHMWPE composites in comparison with pure polymers. Our results show a promise to accelerate the development of new composites for energy applications, such as metal-free supercapacitor plates and current collectors of lithium-ion batteries, bipolar plates of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, antistatic elements of various electronic devices, etc.

中文翻译：

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基于PVC，P（VDF-TFE），UHMWPE和rGO的具有高电导率和良好机械性能的隔离网络聚合物复合材料

隔离的网状结构的形成（填料的分布明显不均匀）是目前制造导电聚合物复合材料最有希望的策略之一。然而，在这种方法中同时实现高电导率值并保持良好的机械性能仍然是一个巨大的挑战。在这里，我们通过X射线光电子能谱（XPS），近边缘X射线吸收精细结构（NEXAFS）光谱，扫描电子显微镜（SEM），介电谱和压缩工程应力-应变曲线分析，进行了研究隔离的网络结构对一组聚合物复合材料的电导率和机械性能的影响。合作-四氟乙烯（P（VDF-TFE））和超高分子量聚乙烯（UHMWPE），随后进行GO还原和复合热压。证明了分离的网络聚合物复合物的物理性质对聚合物基质的强烈依赖性。特别地，在掺入还原的GO（rGO）后，发现聚合物的电导率提高了12个数量级，至0.7S / m。观察到由1 wt％的rGO填充的P（VDF-TFE）弹性模量增加了17％。在填料的0.5重量％时，PVC / rGO的断裂强度被证明降低了四倍。同时，与纯聚合物相比，P（VDF-TFE）和UHMWPE复合材料的强度变化不明显。我们的结果表明，有望加快用于能源应用的新型复合材料的开发，