Preparation of graphite oxide (GO) and the thermal stability of silicone rubber/GO nanocomposites

Graphite oxide was synthesized by the oxidation of expanded graphite via a modified Hummers approach. The structure of graphite oxide was evaluated by TEM, XRD, Raman and FTIR. It was found that the structure of expanded graphite can be easily and remarkably disordered by oxidation. Silicone rubber/GO nanocomposites were prepared via a solution intercalation method. The structure of the nanocomposites was studied by XRD. The thermal behavior of the nanocomposites was characterized by TGA and the results showed that the addition of graphite oxide is beneficial to improve the thermal stability of the nanocomposites at high temperature.

► We synthesized expanded graphite oxide by a modified Hummers approach.
► The structure of expanded graphite can be easily and remarkably disordered by oxidation.
► The addition of expanded graphite oxide improved the thermal stability of silicone rubber evidently.