title: A facile approach to prepare regenerated cellulose/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposite using room-temperature ionic liquid.
abstract: This study presents the preparation of regenerated cellulose (RC)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanocomposites via room temperature ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIMAc) using solution casting method. The thermal stability, gas permeability, water absorption and mechanical properties of the films were studied. The synthesized nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The T20 decomposition temperature of regenerated cellulose improved with the addition of graphene nanoplatelets up to 5 wt%. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of RC films improved by 34 and 56%, respectively with the addition of 3 wt% GNPs. The nanocomposite films exhibited improved oxygen and carbon dioxide gas barrier properties and water absorption resistance compared to RC. XRD and SEM results showed good interaction between RC and GNPs and well dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets in regenerated cellulose. The FTIR spectra showed that the addition of GNPs in RC did not result in any noticeable change in its chemical structure.
authors.affiliation: Enhanced Polymer Research Group (EnPRO), Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310 Skudai, Johoc Malaysia.
authors.forename: Shaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahmoudian
authors.forename: Mat Uzir
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Wahit
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imran
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: Harintharavimal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D052578:Ionic Liquids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D006108:Graphite; D002482:Cellulose