Fabrication and properties of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide reinforced Poly(Vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite films for packaging applications

Abstract

Petroleum-based polymers have a wide range of uses in the packaging industry, including films, food packaging, rigid containers, foamed containers, medical products, etc. This study focuses on improving the properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based material systems, one of the most popular water-soluble biopolymers, to reduce the waste of petroleum-based plastics, which are widely used. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films containing low concentrations (0.05–1%) of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were produced via the solution casting method. When electrical properties of nanocomposite films were evaluated, the addition of 1 wt% GO and rGO resulted in a 36% and 45% decrease in the volumetric resistance of the films as well as a decrease in surface resistance of 24.5% and 34.9%, respectively. The maximum tensile strength of 1% GO and rGO-reinforced PVA nanocomposites was found to be ∼59 MPa and ∼68 MPa with an increase of 20% and 38% compared to neat PVA films, respectively. The average Young’s modulus of 1% GO and rGO-reinforced PVA nanocomposites also increased from 2561 MPa to 3515 MPa and 4219 MPa with an increase of 37% and 65%, respectively. As a result, the electrical conductivity, Young’s modulus, maximum tensile strength, thermal properties, and optical absorption of nanocomposite films increased by adding GO and rGO to PVA. The results show that the produced nanocomposite film may be a promising material for packaging applications.

Influence of bio‐resource‐derived graphene oxide on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites

“…To find out how much the addition of AGO affected the thermal transitions of PVA and to determine the values of T m and T c for the nanocomposites, DSC analysis was performed for all the PVA nanocomposite films. The incorporation of AGO in the PVA matrix results in good dispersion, which makes the AGO nanoparticles operate as nucleating agents, assisting with the crystalline nature of the material and resulting in a higher crystallization peak temperature 48,49 . Table 2 shows the T m and T c of pure PVA and the AGO/PVA nanocomposites as determined by DSC analysis.…”

“…The incorporation of AGO in the PVA matrix results in good dispersion, which makes the AGO nanoparticles operate as nucleating agents, assisting with the crystalline nature of the material and resulting in a higher crystallization peak temperature. 48,49 Table 2 shows the T m and T c of pure PVA and the AGO/PVA nanocomposites as determined by DSC analysis. The observed values for both T m and T c increase with increasing AGO content in the PVA matrix.…”

Prospective Nanomaterials for Food Packaging and Safety

“…In smart packaging, graphene can be used as a sensor for biochemical or microbial changes in the product packed to detect specific food-borne pathogens or gases. Thus, this type of packaging can serve as oxygen and spoilage indicators for food safety and quality monitoring [40]. [39].…”

Structural, optical, and morphological evaluation of PVA/Bi-Ni oxide-rGO nanocomposite casted films for optical devices applications

“…Although PVA has good optical qualities, its refractive index is low (~1.409 at λ = 500nm) [8]. Previously, several metal oxides, including BaTiO 3 [9], SiO 2 , La 2 ZnO [10], graphene-reduced graphene oxides [11], Fe 2 O 3 [12], NiO [13], and KMnO 4 [14] were utilized in PVA-matrices to improve their optical parameters and raising the composite density and refractive index for optical applications [2].…”