Enhanced electrostatic dissipative properties of chitosan/gelatin composite films filled with reduced graphene oxide

Conducting polymers based on inorganic particle filled composites are versatile materials applying widely in electronic devices including electrostatic dissipative (ESD) materials. This study focuses on low-cost fabrication, mechanical and electrical properties of eco-friendly ESD materials based on chitosan/gelatin biocomposite films filled with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Experimental results demonstrated that rGO can improve the electrical conductivity of such biocomposites and make them suitable for ESD applications. rGO was prepared by chemical reduction of graphene oxide, earlier prepared by oxidizing of natural graphite in strong acid condition. Morphology and thermal properties of the biocomposites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Tensile stress–strain tests revealed that Young’s modulus of the composites increased sharply with ncreasing rGO content from 0 to 10 %wt, while the tensile strength increased progressively with rGO content up to 30 %wt. The effect of rGO content on volume resistivity of the composites was also investigated. The electrical percolation threshold of the resistivity was in the concentration range 20–30 %wt, where the resistivity of the composite reduced by 71.3 %. Conclusively, the results provide a cheap method to manufacture eco-friendly ESD materials with adequate mechanical properties, which beneficial for the new designed ESD materials for electronic applications.