Assessment of morphology and property of graphene oxide-hydroxypropylmethylcellulose nanocomposite films

• Formation of GO is confirmed by XRD, FTIR and Raman spectral analysis.
• HPMC/GO nanocomposites are developed.
• XRD and SEM establish the formation of exfoliated HPMC/GO nanocomposites.
• Enhancements in mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites are observed.
• Moisture absorption and WVTR of HPMC film are declined with GO loading.

Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized by Hummer's method and characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The as synthesized GO was used to make GO/hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) nanocomposite films by the solution mixing method using different concentrations of GO. The nanocomposite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and thermo-gravimetric analysis. Mechanical properties, water absorption property and water vapor transmission rate were also measured. XRD analysis showed the formation of exfoliated HPMC/GO nanocomposites films. The FESEM results revealed high interfacial adhesion between the GO and HPMC matrix. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of the nanocomposite films containing the highest weight percentage of GO increased sharply. The thermal stability of HPMC/GO nanocomposites was slightly better than pure HPMC. The water absorption and water vapor transmission rate of HPMC film was reduced with the addition of up to 1 wt% GO.