The preparation, characterization, mechanical and antibacterial properties of GO-ZnO nanocomposites with a poly(L-lactide)-modified surface

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) was employed for the preparation of GO-zinc oxide (ZnO). The hydroxyl group on the surface was exploited to trigger the L-lactide ring-opening polymerization. A composite material with poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) chains grafted to the GO-ZnO surface, GO-ZnO-PLLA, was prepared. The results demonstrated that the employed method allowed one-step, rapid grafting of PLLA to the GO-ZnO surface. The chemical structure of the GO surface was altered by improved dispersion of GO-ZnO in organic solvents, thus enhancing the GO-ZnO dispersion in the PLLA matrix and the interface bonding with PLLA. Subsequently, composite films, GO-ZnO-PLLA and GO-ZnO-PLLA/PLLA, were prepared. The changes in interface properties and mechanical properties were studied. Furthermore, the antibacterial performance of nano-ZnO was investigated.