Preparation and Characterization of Graphene Oxide/Waterborne Polyurethane Composites

A composite material with excellent thermal, mechanical and optical properties was prepared by compounding modified graphene oxide with aqueous polyurethane. Graphene oxide was prepared from graphite and modified with a silane coupling agent, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Composite emulsions were prepared by reacting of modified graphene oxide containing an amino group with the isocyanate group of polyurethane prepolymer. The successful synthesis was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and XRD tests. Comparing the mechanical and thermal properties of physically blended graphene oxide and polyurethane, polyurethane and modified graphene oxide with polyurethane has revealed that the tensile strength and the thermal stability of the latter was significantly improved.