Surface functionalization of GO, preparation and characterization of PVA/TRIS-GO nanocomposites

In this work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite films were prepared using different concentrations of functionalized graphene (0, 1, 3 and 5 wt%) to study the permeability of oxygen gas in the PVA nanocomposites. For this aim, graphene layers were covalently functionalized with tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS) and used as a nanofiller in the PVA matrix. The obtained PVA/TRIS-functionalized graphene nanosheets (TRIS-GO) films which have highly water absorbent ability were completely smooth, uniform, and flexible. Fourier transform infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the nanostructures and properties of prepared materials. Following, effects of modified graphene on the certain properties of resulting nanocomposites were studied. The oxygen permeability of the nanocomposites was increased remarkably by the presence of TRIS-GO due to an increase in hydrophilic volume. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.