Novel polyimide nanocomposites enhanced by covalent modified graphene nanosheets based on Friedel–Crafts reaction

We report a new approach to fabricate novel polyimide (PI) nanocomposites using amine-functionalized graphene nanosheets (AGNS). AGNS was successfully prepared by Friedel–Crafts (F–C) reaction and nitroreduction. The PI nanocomposites with outstanding strength and high tribological performance were obtained though in situ polymerization in the presence of different contents of AGNS. The thermal stability, mechanical performance, and the tribological properties of PI/AGNS nanocomposites were significantly enhanced compared with that of pristine PI and PI/graphene nanosheets (GNS) blends, resulting from the strong covalent bonds between AGNS with PI matrix. Particularly, given that the friction coefficient and wear rate were reduced separately by 20.5% and 90.5% under dry sliding condition, the PI/AGNS nanocomposite with 0.5 wt% AGNS manifested the optative friction performance. The combined exclusive friction resistance and mechanical performance were the paramount factors which illustrate the applications of the resultant PI/AGNS nanocomposites in the wear-resistant field or another high-performance material.