TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Barrier: The gas diffusion barrier is electrically conductive. The gas diffusion barrier comprises the functional graphene (G1) (0.1-90 wt.%), where the functional graphene (G1) is the form of nano platelets. The functional graphene (G1) has a bulk density of 40-0.1 kg/m3; carbon/oxygen (C/O) oxygen ratio of 60/40 to 95/5; and has an aspect ratio of more than 100. The functional graphene (G1) is functionalized with a functional group. Preferred Method: The functional graphene (G1) is produced by a process involves adding water and/or solvent to graphite, thereby obtaining graphite oxide with spatially expanded graphene interlayers; and heating the graphite oxide to cause superheating and gas evolution from the water and/or solvent, and decomposition of the graphite oxide, thereby obtaining the functional graphene (G1). The step of adding of the water and/or solvent to the graphite results in the substantially complete intercalation and oxidation of graphite. The functional graphene (G1) is produced by removing acids and salts from the graphene interlayers prior to heating the graphite oxide; or by drying the graphite oxide to remove excess water and/or solvent, prior to heating the graphite oxide; or by oxidation of layered graphite to produce graphite oxide. The functional graphene (G1) is produced using an oxidizer. The method (M1) further involves orienting the functional graphene (G1) in the polymer matrix. The method (M1) involves adding the functional graphene (G1) (0.1-90 wt.%).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer matrix comprises an elastomer selected from vulcanized natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polystyrene-polyisoprene-polystyrene, and/or polysiloxane; and at least one member selected from polyethylenes, polypropylenes, copolymers ethylene and propylene, polyesters, nylons, polystyrenes, polyvinyl acetates, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chlorides, polymethylmethacrylates, polymethylacrylates, polycaprolactones, polycaprolactams, fluorinated ethylenes, polystyrenes, styrene acrylonitriles, polyimides, epoxys, and/or polyurethanes. EXAMPLE - The composite comprising natural rubber and functionalized graphene sheet (FGS) filler (5 wt.%) was prepared by solution mixing. The mechanical properties such as young's modulus and tensile strength of NR/FGS composite (test) and clay nanoplatelets (control) were evaluated. Result of composites (test/control) for young's modulus was 6.89/2.25 and for tensile strength was 6.21/1.26.