Functional composites based on polybenzimidazole and graphite nanoplates

Abstract

A procedure was developed for preparing stable dispersions of graphite nanoplates with the concentration of up to 25 mg mL^–1 by two-step ultrasonic treatment of graphite in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. A series of elastic films based on poly-2,2′-p-oxydiphenylene-5,5′-bisdibenzimidazole oxide with the filler content of up to 45 wt % were prepared from such dispersions. Introduction of the nanoadditive into the matrix of the heterocyclic polymer results in 47% enhancement of the tensile strength of the materials and in an increase in the temperature of the 10% weight loss by 52–81°C. In addition, the films are characterized by high electrical conductivity reaching 480 S cm^–1 for the composite with 45 wt % graphite nanoplates and exhibit tensoresistive properties, which allows using them in various electrotechnical devices and fabric engineering structures.