Graphene for reducing bubble defects and enhancing mechanical properties of graphene/cellulose acetate composite films.

Liu, Lei; Shen, Zhigang; Liang, Shuaishuai; Yi, Min; Zhang, Xiaojing; Ma, Shulin

In this study, we have demonstrated a strategy by which graphene was used to reduce the bubble defects and enhance the mechanical properties in graphene/cellulose acetate (Gr/CA) composite films. Mono- and multilayer graphene flakes were successfully prepared in the water–acetone mixtures by a jet cavitation method. Moreover, outstanding enhancement of mechanical properties of Gr/CA composite films were obtained at relatively low concentration of graphene flakes. Young’s modulus of these composite films increased linearly with the graphene flakes loading, due to the significantly high surface area of graphene and strong interactions between graphene flake and CA. Furthermore, three-dimensional channel formed by graphene flakes could increase the degassing speed and reduce the negative effects of bubbles. The Gr/CA composite has excellent mechanical properties and, more importantly, it is a natural and environmentally friendly polymer composite.

GRAPHENE; CELLULOSE acetate; MECHANICAL behavior of materials; COMPOSITE materials research; CAVITATION

Journal of Materials Science, 2014, Vol 49, Issue 1, p321

0022-2461

Academic Journal

10.1007/s10853-013-7708-8