Photochemical and thermal behaviours of poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphite oxide composites

The properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphite oxide (PVAL/GO) composites were investigated during UV irradiation using a mercury lamp (λ = 254 nm). The course of photochemical reactions was monitored by FTIR and UV-vis absorption spectroscopies as well as by estimation of insoluble gel amount formed during crosslinking. Changes in average molecular weights resulting from main chain scission in PVAL were measured by gel permeation chromatography. Composite microstructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The thermal behaviour of composites was determined by a thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that 0.1-5.0% GO addition to polymer bulk slightly hampers photooxidative degradation of PVAL. Thermal degradation in PVAL composites starts at somewhat lower temperatures in the presence of GO but this trend is changed in UV-irradiated samples.