The spectroscopic and physical properties of PMMA/PCL blend incorporated with graphene oxide

Abstract

In this article, the casting method was used to prepare PMMA/PCL nanocomposite films incorporated with low contents graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles. The dispersion of GO acted as reinforcing in the PMMA/PCL blend and hence improving the mechanical and electrical properties of the samples. The X-ray measurements did not show the presence of GO inside the samples because of the use of low content of GO with a slight shift in the characteristic peaks of the blend. The TEM images showed the transformation of the blend images from a smooth to a rougher surface, which means that the shape of the nanocomposites is strongly affected by the addition of GO. The addition of GO influenced the mechanical properties, Young's modulus, tensile stress, elasticity, elongation, and stress before failure. A shift also occurred in the TGA curves towards higher temperatures compared to PMMA/PCL blend indicating increased thermal stability for the prepared nanocomposites. The activation energy values were also increased, implying a variation in the reaction due to the extent of the reaction. The values of ε' and ε'' were reduced at the lower frequency and became constant at high frequency attributed to the relaxation time. The AC electrical conductivity was increased.