title: Poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites filled with poly(vinyl alcohol)-grafted graphene oxide.
abstract: We present a novel approach to the fabrication of advanced polymeric nanocomposites from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by incorporation of PVA-grafted graphene oxide. In this work, we have synthesized PVA-grafted graphene oxide (PVA-g-GO) for the strong interfacial adhesion of graphene oxide (GO) to the PVA matrix. It was found that the mechanical properties of PVA were greatly improved by incorporating PVA-g-GO. For example, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the PVA nanocomposite films containing 1 wt % net GO in the PVA-g-GO significantly increased by 88 and 150%, respectively, as compared to unfilled PVA. The elongation at break was also increased by 22%, whereas the GO/PVA nanocomposite containing 1 wt % pristine GO was decreased by 15%. Therefore, the presence of the PVA-g-GO in the PVA matrix could make the PVA not only stronger but also tougher. The strong interfacial adhesion between PVA-g-GO and the PVA matrix was attributed to the good compatibility between PVA-g-GO and the matrix PVA as well as the hydrogen-bonding between them.
authors.affiliation: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798.
authors.forename: Henry Kuo Feng
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Nanda Gopal
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Sahoo
authors.forename: Yan Pei
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Yongzheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Hongqian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Siew Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jianhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D006108:Graphite; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol