Crumpled graphene nanosheets as highly effective barrier property enhancers

Abstract

Near-trace concentrations (0.02 vol%) of crumpled graphene nanosheets suspended within a polystyrene matrix drastically inhibit the permeation of oxygen molecules through the resulting polymer-graphene nanocomposite. This decrease in permeability is a direct result of the low solubility of oxygen within the nanocomposite, which is considerably densified by the graphene. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.