Preparation and characterization of graphene oxide reinforced PVA film with boric acid as crosslinker

ABSTRACT PVA films were prepared through aqueous solution method, and boric acid (BA) as well as graphene oxide (GO) was added to improve the mechanical and thermal properties. It was found that 5 wt % BA could increase the tensile strength threefold (from 23.3 to 67.7 MPa), and the incorporation of 0.2 wt % GO would provide additional percentage growth of 30% (from 67.7 to 88.5 MPa). Moreover, an enhancement of thermal stability of PVA film was found when BA or GO filler was added. The reinforcement mechanisms of both BA and GO were investigated, and a competitive phenomenon that the addition of BA would influence the reinforcement effect of GO sheets was found. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 42000.