One-pot synthesis of conducting graphene-polymer composites and their strain sensing application

In situ reduction of graphite oxide in polymer powder has been implemented using focused solar electromagnetic radiation. The simultaneous reduction of graphite oxide, melting of the polymer and embedding of reduced graphite oxide nanoflakes in polymer offer a new way of synthesizing conducting graphene/polymer composites. An electromechanical application of the present reduced graphite oxide-PVDF nanocomposite has been proposed with a gauge factor of 12.1. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.