Synthesis and Study of Free Radical Graft Polymerization of Glycidyl Methacrylate on Gamma-Irradiated Graphene Oxide

This study reports on the synthesis of a novel poly (glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) grafted graphene oxide (GO) by using a free radical-induced emulsion graft polymerization method. PGMA was grafted onto a gamma irradiated and vinyl functionalized GO substrate, and the parameters of graft polymerization (i.e., the concentration of monomer, initiator, and surfactant) were optimized to achieve the maximum grafting percentage. Remarkably, a PGMA grafting percentage of up to 2626% was obtained under the optimal reaction conditions. The developed materials were characterized by different characterization techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of characteristic peaks of PGMA in FTIR spectra and changes in morphology of GO sheets after the grafting process confirmed the successful PGMA grafting onto GO. The thermal stability of the grafted samples was also significantly enhanced and increased with an increase in grafting percentage. This work discloses the tailoring of the properties of nanohybrid material obtained by free radical-induced emulsion graft polymerization. The prepared PGMA grafted GO nanohybrids can be further modified to develop adsorbents for metal uptake.