Green Solvent Processed Cellulose/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Films with Superior Mechanical, Thermal, and Ultraviolet Shielding Properties

Abstract

This study reports for the first time a green process to fabricate Lyocell fiber and graphene oxide (GO) based novel cellulose/graphene oxide nanocomposite (CGN) flexible films for ultraviolet (UV) shielding applications. A polyethelene glycol (PEG) mediated solvent system was utilized to make CGN films via solution casting route. To improve the dispersion of GO sheets in a cellulosic matrix, a reactive interface was formed in between cellulose and oxygenic functionalized groups of GO sheets via cross-linking them with epichlorohydrin (ECH). The addition of GO sheets in cellulose matrix leads to the synergistic changes, which were observed in the structure and surface morphology of CGN nanocomposite films. Enhanced dispersion of GO sheets in CGN films was observed in morphological investigations which is attributed to the adequate cellulose–GO interaction by hydrogen bonding and led to significant enhancement in the mechanical and thermal properties. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of CGN films with 2 wt % GO loading (CGN2) increased to 89 MPa and 4.3 GPa from 55.6 MPa and 2.1 GPa, respectively, as compared to the neat cellulosic film. Additionally, the CGN films exhibited remarkable UV shielding capability which increased with GO loading in a cellulose matrix. The CGN2 film (2 wt % GO loading) possessed outstanding absorbance in the wavelength range of 280 to 400 nm and showed almost complete shielding (∼99%) of UV rays in both the UV-B and the UV-A regions. Moreover, the ultraviolet protection factor of the CGN2 film demonstrated more than 80-fold increase compared to that of the neat cellulose film. The obtained CGN nanocomposite film has a high potential for applications in the field of UV protection.

Reduced Graphene Oxide and Nanoparticles Incorporated Durable Electroconductive Silk Fabrics

“…The second phase of weight loss started at ≈285 °C because of the start of polymer degradation (breakage of amide bonds and crystalline β‐sheets). [ 41 ] The third phase of weight loss started at ≈360 °C due to the volatilization of the crystalline β‐sheet of silk. In general, RGO‐coated samples (S‐RGO and S‐CA‐RGO) showed more heat resistance than pure silk.…”

“…[ 40 ] Moreover, NPs have a strong UV blocking capacity. [ 41 ] A wide range of plasma resonance of NPs (Ag and Cu) surface [ 42 ] and complete GO reduction [ 43 ] have also influence on the UV shielding performance.…”

Facile fabrication of a polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrophobic fluorescent film via the Hantzsch reaction for broadband UV protection

“…Traditional approaches to achieving UV blocking performance have mainly focused on the incorporation of UV absorbers in a polymer substance. For instance, inorganic nanoparticles (graphene oxide, 3,4 titanium dioxide, [5][6][7] calcium zincate, 8 carbon quantum dots, 9 etc. 10,11 ) and organic nanoparticles (lignin, 12,13 modified nanocelluloses, [14][15][16][17] etc.…”

Nano-MIL-88A(Fe) Enabled Clear Cellulose Films with Excellent UV-Shielding Performance and Robust Environment Resistance

“…In recent decades, climate change and environmental pollution caused by human activities have resulted in serious damage to the earth’s ozone layer, and the amount of ultraviolet (UV) light reaching the Earth’s surface has increased significantly, causing a series of issues, i.e., sunburn, skin cancer, yellowing of paper and discoloration of dyes, and other problems associated with UV light [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. For these reasons, emphasis has been given toward the development of UV blocking products, such as visually transparent coating for UV-sensitive materials or UV protective films.…”