Improving interfacial interaction of l -phenylalanine-functionalized graphene nanofiller and poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites for obtaining significant membrane properties: Morphology, thermal, and mechanical studies

Abstract

In polymer nanocomposite synthesis, the challenges are achieving well dispersion of nanofiller and its maximum interfacial interaction with polymer matrix at low loading percent. In this study, the preparation of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites with l-phenylalanine-functionalized graphene (f-graphene) using a simple water solution processing method is reported. Graphene layers were functionalized with l-phenylalanine amino acid as a biocompatible and environmentally friendly modifier. The obtained PVA/f-graphene nanocomposite membranes were smooth, uniform, and flexible. Efficient interaction was found between f-graphene and PVA matrix, which caused significant improvement in mechanical and thermal properties of the graphene-based nanocomposite with homogeneous dispersion.