Preparation and barrier properties of functional graphene oxide/thermoplastic polyurethane composite films

In order to improve the barrier properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), first, functional graphene oxide (IP-GO)/TPU composite films were prepared by solution casting method on the coating machine. Then, the morphologies and properties of IP-GO/TPU composite films were investigated by FTIR, XPS, XRD, FE-SEM, atomic force microscope and oxygen transmission rate tester. The results indicate that the layer spacing of IP-GO increases of 0.696 nm compared with the primitive flake graphite and the thickness of sheets is about 1.2 nm. IP-GO evenly dispersed in TPU matrix by form of fold layers, and coated on the fracture surfaces of composite films. When the contnent of IP-GO is 3wt%, the oxygen transmission rate of IP-GO/TPU composite film is 84.325 cm3/(m2·d·Pa), compared with the pure TPU film's value which is 280.973 cm3/(m2·d·Pa) decreases by 70%, reveals that the barrier property is improved significantly. The research solves the problem of poor barrier performance of TPU films, and provides a thought and a method for the preparation of high barrier polymers. ©, 2015, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA). All right reserved.