Graphene/Polymer Nanocomposites for Electrical and Electronic Applications

Graphene, a monolayer of sp²-bonded carbon atoms with remarkable physical and mechanical properties, is regarded as an excellent filler material for polymers. Graphene/polymer nanocomposites can be fabricated by solution mixing, in situ polymerization, or melt compounding. They hold promise for a variety of electrical and electronic applications. Owing to the large aspect ratio of the graphene sheets, they render the polymer electrically conductive at a very low filler content. The resultant polymer composites may find applications in electrostatic discharge (ESD) materials or electromagnetic shielding coatings. Owing to the enhanced dielectric performance of the graphene/polymer composites below the percolation threshold, they can be used as the dielectric materials for electrical charge storage capacitors. In addition, graphene/polymer composite films may be utilized as the electrical transport layer in field-effect transistors (FETs), which offers the advantages of ease of processing and mechanical flexibility. Because the resistivity of graphene/polymer nanocomposites is highly sensitive to various stimuli, including gaseous environment, electrical voltage, pressure, and mechanical strain deformation, they may be used as gas, temperature, or piezoresistive sensors. Moreover, the excellent thermal conductivity of graphene renders graphene/polymer nanocomposites an ideal material for heat dissipating and thermal management in electronics.