Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposite Films Consisting of TEMPO-Oxidized Nanocellulose / Graphene Oxide

In this study, films consisting of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF) prepared from eucalyptus and graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by casting-evaporation method. The morphological structure, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile mechanical tests. The results obtained from the X-ray diffraction spectrum, FTIR spectrum and SEM observations revealed that TOCNF and graphene oxide were able to form nanocomposite films with homogeneous structure in low-weight percent of graphene oxide. Compared with films of Tempo-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF/GO0%), the mean tensile strength of nanocomposite films consisted of 1.5 wt% of graphene oxide (TOCNF/GO1.5%) increased to 19%, which was not statistically significant. In addition, the mean tensile strength of nanocomposite films consisted of 3wt% of graphene oxide (TOCNF/GO3%) decreased to 14.5%, which was not statistically significant. The results of TGA showed that the thermal degradation temperature of TOCNF/GO0.5%, TOCNF/GO1.5% and TOCNF/GO3% nanocomposite films compared to the film of TOCNF/GO0% slightly changed towards lower temperatures.