Biodegradable amylose films reinforced by graphene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol

Graphene oxide/amylose (GO/amylose) composite films with different amounts of graphene oxide (GO), glycerol and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared by a solution casting method. The structure, morphologies, and properties of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy and tensile tests. The results indicated good dispersion of the GO nanosheets in the GO/amylose composite films and consequently a significant improvement in their mechanical properties. The addition of GO increased the tensile strength of the GO/amylose films, significantly. When glycerol was used as a plasticizer, the elongation at break of the films increased. When PVA was also added to the composite films, the films were mechanically strong and flexible. The incorporation of GO also decreased the moisture absorbability and UV transmittance of the films. The stability of the GO/amylose films in acidic and alkaline solutions was also studied and the films had excellent stability in both acidic and alkaline aqueous mediums.