Non-covalently functionalized graphene strengthened poly(vinyl alcohol)

Publication date: 5 February 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 139
Author(s): Xiaodong Wang, Xianhu Liu, Hongyue Yuan, Hu Liu, Chuntai Liu, Tingxi Li, Chao Yan, Xingru Yan, Changyu Shen, Zhanhu Guo
In this work, non-covalently functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites were prepared by solution mixing. The agglomeration of graphene sheets was prevented by using surface modifying agent poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS). The improved mechanical properties, including the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the PVA/rGO nanocomposites compared to neat PVA were attributed to the strong interactions between PVA and rGO such as π–π, hydrogen bonding, and CH–π. A 55% maximum increase in the modulus was obtained by adding only 0.1wt% rGO, and an increase of 48% in tensile strength was achieved by adding 0.3wt% rGO. In addition, the thermal properties of the nanocomposites were also improved, which was attributed to the restriction of graphene oxide (GO)/rGO sheets on the chain mobility of polymers on the GO/rGO sheets surface.

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