Thin polymer films based on poly(vinyl alcohol) containing graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide with functional properties

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 61; no. 6; pp. 1685 - 1694
• Main Authors: Taraghi, Iman, Paszkiewicz, Sandra, Irska, Izabela, Szymczyk, Anna, Linares, Amelia, Ezquerra, Tiberio A., Kurcz, Magdalena, Winkowska‐Struzik, Magdalena, Lipińska, Ludwika, Kowiorski, Krystian, Piesowicz, Elżbieta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-06-2021; Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Analysis; Composition; Crystallization; Dielectric films; Differential scanning calorimetry; Dispersion; Electric properties; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Elongation; Fourier transforms; Graphene; Infrared analysis; interfacial interaction; Mechanical properties; Melt temperature; Nanocomposites; Optical microscopy; Polymer films; Polyvinyl alcohol; Tensile strength; Thermal properties; Thermal stability; Thermodynamic properties; Thermogravimetric analysis; Thin films; Ultrasonic methods; Poland
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.25692

In this article, the effect of the addition of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been investigated. Different weight percentages of nanofillers ranging from 0.5 to 5 wt% have been combined with PVA. The ultrasonic technique has been applied to disperse nanofillers in the PVA solution. The nanocomposite films have been prepared via solution casting technique and the dispersion of nanofillers into the PVA has been studied through optical microscopy. The microstructure, crystallization behavior, and interfacial interaction were characterized through X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis have been applied to study the thermal properties of the prepared nanocomposites. The DSC results revealed that the crystallization temperature and melting temperature were enhanced in the presence of GO nanofiller. Besides, the tensile strength at break was improved along with the addition of GO; however, elongation at break for PVA/GO and PVA/rGO was diminished. Moreover, all specimens showed insulating behavior and the only sample was electrically conducting, which contain a high amount of rGO (5 wt%).