Preparação de óxido de grafeno e óxido de grafeno reduzido e dispersão em matriz polimérica biodegradável

Abstract

The development of methodologies able to prepare new materials, using graphene in its structure, is technological innovation that converts low-cost products in advanced materials with aggregate amount. The present work is related with the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in reasonable quantities directed to prepare nanocomposites based on biodegradable polymeric matrix. Initiating from natural graphite, Grafine, experimental conditions were investigated to obtain the GO and its reduced form, RGO, by the method of chemical exfoliation followed by thermal reduction. In order to optimize the process were evaluated oxidation time (12, 24 and 48 hours) and temperature reduction (600°C and 1000°C). The films of the nanocomposites containing different amounts of graphene (0.5; 3 and 5% w/w) dispersed in the chitosan matrix were prepared using solvent evaporation method. The characterization analyses of materials obtained were made by: Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission and Atomic Force, X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis, Elemental Analysis, Raman spectroscopy and Electric Conductivity Analysis. The 24 hours of oxidation time was sufficient for the intercalation of functional groups between the sheets of graphene and obtain GO with 29% oxygen. The reduction in temperature of 1000°C was effective in restoring graphitic network and resulted in RGO with a stack of 7-8 sheets, thermally stable and electrical conductivity of 55 S/cm. Addition of graphene in the biodegradable matrix did not modify the thermal stability and it did not change substantially the process of degradation of the prepared nanocomposites.