Graphene Oxide/Multilayer-Graphene Synthesized from Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphite and Its Influence on Mechanical Behavior of Polyurethane Composites

Abstract

Graphene Oxide/Multilayer-Graphene (GO-MG) flakes were obtained using an electrochemically exfoliated graphite (GR) electrode from secondary steel-making industry performed in a two-electrode system using tungsten as the counter electrode and GR as the working electrode. The exfoliated GO-MG flakes were processed and incorporated in an elastomeric polyurethane (PU) matrix. The mechanical properties of the PU/GO-MG composites were evaluated and compared with equivalent composites made of PU/GR powder. From experimental data analysis it was concluded that GO-MG flakes were approximately composed of 67 wt% GO and 33 wt% MG. The number of layers in the graphene flakes was estimated to be between 2 and 5 sheets. PU showed a breaking stress of 570 kPa, while the PU/20wt% GR attained a maximum stress of 750 kPa as compared to PU/10wt% GO-MF composite exhibiting a breaking stress of 1060 kPa.