Characterization, thermal degradation kinetics, and morphological properties of a graphene oxide/poly (vinyl alcohol)/starch nanocomposite

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 136; no. 2; pp. 759 - 769
• Main Authors: Sedaghat, Esmat, Rostami, Abbas Ali, Ghaemy, Mousa, Rostami, Ali
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-04-2019; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Activation energy; Analysis; Analytical Chemistry; Biodegradability; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Emission analysis; Field emission; Glass transition temperature; Graphene; Graphite; Inorganic Chemistry; Mathematical analysis; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Melting points; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Optical scanners; Parameters; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Polyvinyl alcohol; Reaction kinetics; Thermal degradation; Thermodynamic properties; Thermogravimetric analysis; X-ray diffraction; Nanocomposite; PVA/starch/graphene oxide; Thermal degradation; Master plots
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-018-7649-1

In this study, we synthesized a biodegradable nanocomposite containing starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and graphene oxide (GO). The non-isothermal degradation kinetics of this nanocomposite was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Accordingly, the kinetic parameters, such as activation energy (
E
a
), exponential factor (
A
), rate constant (
k
), and degradation time, were calculated. The calculated kinetic parameters are used to predict the lifetime. The master plot analysis showed that the kinetic function of the thermal degradation changed from
A
2
to
A
3
upon addition of GO to the PVA/starch blend. The reaction heat (Δ
H
), glass transition temperature (
T
g
), and melting point (
T
m
) of the PVA/starch film and PVA/starch/GO nanocomposite were determined by the differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Also, the
T
g
values were determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer. The changes in peak bandwidth, strength, and frequency in the samples are identified by FTIR spectra. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposite were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis and field emission scanning electronic microscope.