Comparison of Mechanical Properties of Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Based Polymer Composites

By : N.M.S Hidayah, Wei-Wen Liu, C.W. Lai, N.Z. Noriman, S.T. Sam, U. Hashim, Hon-Cheun Lee

Page No: 615-628

Abstract
Herein, we present the comparison improvement of mechanical properties of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) based polypropylene (PP) composites. RGO shows less amount of oxygen-containing functional groups than GO in FTIR spectrum. No characteristic peak of GO and RGO was observed but only peaks for PP were seen which indicates the presence of PP crystalline phase in the composites. The increment of melting, crystallization temperature and degree of crystallinity show clearly the better enhancement of RGO than GO which indicates good dispersion of RGO was achieved in the composites. For tensile test, both GO-PP and RGO-PP exhibited increasing pattern for Young’s modulus and tensile strength values with every increment in the loadings. However, decreasing pattern was observed for elongation at break values. The SEM images show the smooth surface of fractured neat PP whereas rough surface of composites with the addition of GO were observed. Furthermore, the addition of RGO induces the formation of laminated structure.

Authors :
N.M.S Hidayah, Wei-Wen Liu, U. Hashim and Hon-Cheun Lee : Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 01000 Kangar, Perlis.
C.W. Lai : Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center (NANOCAT), Institute of Graduate Studies, Universiti Malaya
N.Z. Noriman : Faculty Engineering Technology (FETech), Engineering Center and Innovation, Universiti Malaysia Perlis
S.T. Sam : School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau, Perlis.