Radiation Induced Graft Polymerization of Glycidyl Methacrylate on Graphene Oxide

Polymer-graphene oxide (GO) composites by graft polymerization of monomers on GO have become the spotlight of mainstream researchers. They are contributing in several applications, for instance, EMI shielding, water treatment, sensors, catalysis, and more. Poly (glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) is a well-known polymer that can be further modified to form suitable and selective adsorbents for wastewater treatment. Herein, we have prepared a novel PGMA grafted GO (GO-g-PGMA) nanohybrid by a radiation induced graft polymerization method. An indigenously prepared gamma irradiated, and vinyl modified GO was used as a substrate for grafting of PGMA over its surface and hence to form GO-g-PGMA. Spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the synthesized nanohybrids. Further chemical modification of GO-g-PGMA nanohybrids opens nanomaterials for different applications.