Fabrication and characterization of graphene oxide-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hybrid composites by the sol–gel method

Functionalized graphene oxide-reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) hybrid composites were prepared by using the sol–gel method. This method not only provided a “green” strategy for fabricating the graphene oxide-based composites, but also realized the covalent functionalization of graphene oxide nanosheets with polymer matrix. The morphology, thermal, fire resistance and mechanical properties of the f-GNS/poly(vinyl alcohol) hybrid composites were systematically studied. The transmission electron microscopy analyses demonstrated that f-GNS was homogeneously dispersed in the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. Combining with a series of analyses and characterizations, it was observed that the functionalization of graphene oxide with conjugated organosilanes was favorable for improving mechanical, thermal properties and flame retardance of the composites, which was mainly attributed to the homogeneous dispersion of functionalized graphene oxide in the polymer matrix and strong interfacial interactions between the two components.