Enhanced Mechanical and Antibacterial Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(vinyl Alcohol) and Biopolymer-Derived Reduced Graphene Oxide.

ABSTRACT: Functionalized graphene-polymer nanocomposites have gained significant attention for their enhanced mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties, but the requirement of multi-step processes or hazardous reducing agents to functionalize graphene limits their current applications. Here, we present a single-step synthesis of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) based on shellac, which is a low-cost biopolymer that can be employed to produce poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/TrGO nanocomposites (PVA-TrGO). The concentration of TrGO varied from 0.1 to 2.0 wt.%, and the critical concentration of homogeneous TrGO dispersion was observed to be 1.5 wt.%, below which strong interfacial molecular interactions between the TrGO and the PVA matrix resulted in improved thermal and mechanical properties.

SUBMITTER: Cho BG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7923123 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature