Synthesis and Characterization of PVA/Graphene Nano Composite for Packaging Material

Abstract

Nano composite based on PVA and varied concentration of Graphene nano particles have been prepared in order to analyze their structural, morphological, thermal, dielectric and mechanical and antimicrobial response. The concentration of Graphene is varied from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%. Graphene is homogenously dispersed within the PVA matrix up to 0.5 wt%, but some densification occurs at high weight percent of graphene observed through Scanning Electron Microscope.XRD analysis also confirms the exfoliation of graphene in the PVA matrix at lower loading of graphene but increasing the weight percent of graphene sheets re-stack and give a peak at.26.6ͦ which means that agglomeration of graphene sheets occurs at higher loading. FTIR analysis also shows a strong interaction between the PVA matrix and graphene The -CO stretching peak at 1028 of Graphene/PVA nanocomposite become weak in comparison with pure PVA also suggesting the presence of interaction between PVA and Graphene. Dielectric properties also increase by incorporating Graphene into PVA matrix. The enhanced dielectric behavior of composite in the given frequency range is attributed to interface polarization Modulus increases by increasing Graphene content. Tensile strength increases up to 0.5 wt% of graphene and then decreases at high concentration of graphene. The PVA/Graphene nanocomposite show bacterio-static behavior at higher loadings of graphene