In situ synthesis of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/graphene composites using a catalyst supported on graphite oxide

An efficient method was developed for the in situ synthesis of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/graphene composites by using a polycondensation catalyst supported on graphite oxide (GO-Cat). The GO-Cat was prepared by loading a catalyst of titanium dioxide/silicon dioxide nanoparticles on organofunctionalized graphene oxide sheets, and was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. During the in situpolycondensation process, nanoscale dispersion and thermal reduction of graphene oxide were achieved simultaneously. The composites obtained exhibited a rather low electrical percolation threshold due to the homogeneous dispersion of graphene sheets within the matrix and the effective reduction of graphene oxide in the polycondensation process.