In Situ Reduction of Graphene Oxide in Waterborne Polyurethane Matrix and the Healing Behavior of Nanocomposites by Multiple Ways

Smart polymers are advanced materials that continue to attract scientific community. In this work, self-healing waterborne polyurethane/reduced graphene oxide (SHWPU/rGO) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ chemical reduction of graphene oxide in a waterborne polyurethane matrix. The chemical structure, morphology, thermal stability, mechanical property, and electrical conductivity of the SHWPU/rGO nanocomposites were characterized. The prepared SHWPU/rGO nanocomposites were further treated under heating, microwave radiating, and electrifying conditions to investigate their healing property. The results showed that chemical reduction of graphene oxide was achieved using hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent and the rGO was well dispersed in the SHWPU matrix. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of SHWPU/rGO nanocomposites were significantly increased. The SHWPU/rGO nanocomposites can be healed via different methods including heating, microwave radiating, and electrifying. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 202-209