Mild acid oxidation of Graphene Nanoplatelets and its effect on electrical properties of Poly (lactic acid) nanocomposites

Oxidation treatment of GNP was done by nitric acid and H2O2 and composites of Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with GNP and oxidized GNP (O-GNP) were prepared via solution method. We found out, despite the positive effect of oxidation on dispersion, it caused breaking of graphitic structure of graphene platelets and high reduction in electrical conductivity of its composite by PLA. FTIR and TGA analysis confirmed attachment of oxygenated functional groups on GNP. SEM images of O-GNP revealed breaking of GNP s sheets into smaller fragments. Meanwhile the electrical properties of composites completely lost after oxidation

Keywords:

Graphene , Oxidation , Nanocomposite , Poly (lactic acid)