Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2020) | Viewed by 35870

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (ICTP), CSIC, C/Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: processing and characterization of composite materials and nanocomposites; evaluation of structure-properties relationships in composite materials; study of elastomer compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Polimeros, Madrid, Spain
Interests: polymer composites and nanocomposites; polymer foams; smart polymers: dielectric elastomer actuators

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer nanocomposites have attracted considerable interest in both academia and industry, owing to their outstanding properties. The main advantages of nanocomposites, compared to conventional microcomposites, are the formation of a strong interfacial area and polymer/filler adhesion at interface. Adding nanoparticles to a polymer matrix not only increases the mechanical properties, like elastic stiffness and strength, but also provides novel functional properties, such as barrier resistance, flame retardancy, scratch resistance, and thermal and electrical conductivity, among others. It is possible to develop tunable materials for specific structural and functional applications.

The scope of this Special Issue is to address the recent developments and applications of multifunctional nanoparticle/polymer nanocomposite, including fundamental structure/property relationships, processing techniques, and numerical modeling. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of nanocomposites for transport and energy applications.

Prof. Miguel Ángel López Manchado
Dr. Raquel Verdejo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Nanocomposites
  • Nanoparticles
  • Processing
  • Functional properties
  • Polymer-filler interphase
  • Dispersion
  • Applications
  • Transport
  • Energy and modeling

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 2185 KiB  
Article
Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites: Mechanical and Barrier Properties
by Santiago Maldonado-Magnere, Mehrdad Yazdani-Pedram, Héctor Aguilar-Bolados and Raul Quijada
Polymers 2021, 13(1), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010085 - 28 Dec 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2019
Abstract
This work consists of studying the influence of two thermally reduced graphene oxides (TRGOs), containing oxygen levels of 15.8% and 8.9%, as fillers on the barrier properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites prepared by melt-mixing processes. The oxygen contents of the TRGOs were [...] Read more.
This work consists of studying the influence of two thermally reduced graphene oxides (TRGOs), containing oxygen levels of 15.8% and 8.9%, as fillers on the barrier properties of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites prepared by melt-mixing processes. The oxygen contents of the TRGOs were obtained by carrying out the thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) at 600 °C and 1000 °C, respectively. The presence and contents of oxygen in the TRGO samples were determined by XPS and their structural differences were determined by using X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman spectroscopy. In spite of the decrease of the elongation at break of the nanocomposites, the Young modulus was increased by up to 320% with the addition of TRGO. The barrier properties of the nanocomposites were enhanced as was evidenced by the decrease of the permeability to oxygen, which reached levels as low as −46.1%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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12 pages, 2652 KiB  
Article
Effect of Prestrain on the Actuation Characteristics of Dielectric Elastomers
by Mayank Kumar, Anutsek Sharma, Sakrit Hait, Sven Wießner, Gert Heinrich, Injamamul Arief, Kinsuk Naskar, Klaus Werner Stöckelhuber and Amit Das
Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2694; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112694 - 16 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3033
Abstract
Dielectric elastomers (DEs) represent a class of electroactive polymers that deform due to electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged electrodes under a varying electric field. Over the last couple of decades, DEs have garnered considerable attention due to their much-coveted actuation properties. As far [...] Read more.
Dielectric elastomers (DEs) represent a class of electroactive polymers that deform due to electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged electrodes under a varying electric field. Over the last couple of decades, DEs have garnered considerable attention due to their much-coveted actuation properties. As far as the precise measurement systems are concerned, however, there is no standard instrument or interface to quantify various related parameters, e.g., actuation stress, strain, voltage and creeping etc. In this communication, we present an in-depth study of dielectric actuation behavior of dielectric rubbers by the state-of-the-art “Dresden Smart Rubber Analyzer” (DSRA), designed and developed in-house. The instrument allowed us to elucidate various factors that could influence the output efficiency of the DEs. Herein, several non-conventional DEs such as hydrogenated nitrile rubber, nitrile rubber with different acrylonitrile contents, were employed as an electro-active matrix. The effect of viscoelastic creeping on the prestrain, molecular architecture of the matrices, e.g., nitrile content of nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) etc., are also discussed in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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13 pages, 4241 KiB  
Article
Electrical Properties of Poly(Monomethyl Itaconate)/Few-Layer Functionalized Graphene Oxide/Lithium Ion Nanocomposites
by Quimberly Cuenca-Bracamonte, Mehrdad Yazdani-Pedram, Marianella Hernández Santana and Héctor Aguilar-Bolados
Polymers 2020, 12(11), 2673; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12112673 - 12 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
Poly(monomethyl itaconate) is outstanding because it is a glassy and dielectric polymer obtained from sustainable feedstock. Consequently, the study of the properties of its nanocomposites has gained importance. Herein, the electrical properties of nanocomposites based on poly(monomethyl itaconate) and functionalized few-layer graphene oxide [...] Read more.
Poly(monomethyl itaconate) is outstanding because it is a glassy and dielectric polymer obtained from sustainable feedstock. Consequently, the study of the properties of its nanocomposites has gained importance. Herein, the electrical properties of nanocomposites based on poly(monomethyl itaconate) and functionalized few-layer graphene oxide (FGO) in the presence and absence of lithium ions (Li+) are studied. Not only did the electrical conductivities of the nanocomposites present values as high as 10−5 Scm−1, but also the dielectric permittivity of nanocomposites with (FGO) content lower than the percolation threshold was twice that of the pristine polymer, without presenting a drastic increase of the loss tangent. By contrast, nanocomposites containing Li+ ions presented significant increases of the permittivity with concomitant increases of the loss tangent. Moreover, it was determined that the presence of Li+ ions influenced the charge transport in the composites because of its ionic nature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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15 pages, 8906 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Characterization of Highly Elastic Foams with Enhanced Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Based On Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Rubber Filled with Barium Titanate/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Hybrid
by Hasti Bizhani, Ali Asghar Katbab, Emil Lopez-Hernandez, Jose Miguel Miranda, Miguel A. Lopez-Manchado and Raquel Verdejo
Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2278; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102278 - 03 Oct 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2686
Abstract
Hybrid ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) nanocomposite foams were produced via compression molding with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption efficiency. The hybrid filler, consisting of 20 phr ferroelectric barium titanate (BT) and various loading fractions of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), synergistically increased the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption [...] Read more.
Hybrid ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) nanocomposite foams were produced via compression molding with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption efficiency. The hybrid filler, consisting of 20 phr ferroelectric barium titanate (BT) and various loading fractions of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), synergistically increased the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption characteristics of the EPDM foam. Accordingly, while the EPDM foam filled with 20 phr BT was transparent to the EM wave within the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz (X-band), the hybrid EPDM nanocomposite foam loaded with 20 phr BT and 10 phr MWCNTs presented a total shielding effectiveness (SE) of ~22.3 dB compared to ~16.0 dB of the MWCNTs (10 phr). This synergistic effect is suggested to be due to the segregation of MWCNT networks within the cellular structure of EPDM, resulting in enhanced electrical conductivity, and also high dielectric permittivity of the foam imparted by the BT particles. Moreover, the total SE of the BT/MWCNTs loaded foam samples remained almost unchanged when subjected to repeated bending due to the elastic recovery behavior of the crosslinked EPDM foamed nanocomposites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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12 pages, 4575 KiB  
Article
Design of Highly Adhesive and Water-Resistant UV/Heat Dual-Curable Epoxy–Acrylate Composite for Narrow Bezel Display Based on Reactive Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Nanoparticles
by Jun Hyup Lee
Polymers 2020, 12(10), 2178; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102178 - 24 Sep 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2870
Abstract
To attain the narrow bezel characteristic of information displays, functional sealing composite materials should possess high adhesion strength and water barrier performance due to their narrow line widths. In this study, highly adhesive UV/heat dual-curable epoxy–acrylate composites with outstanding water-resistant performance have been [...] Read more.
To attain the narrow bezel characteristic of information displays, functional sealing composite materials should possess high adhesion strength and water barrier performance due to their narrow line widths. In this study, highly adhesive UV/heat dual-curable epoxy–acrylate composites with outstanding water-resistant performance have been proposed using photoreactive organic–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles that can react with an acrylate resin, creating a crosslinked nanoparticle network within the sealing composite. The hybrid nanoparticles consisted of reactive methacrylate groups as a shell and an inorganic core of silica or aluminum oxide, and were facilely synthesized through sol–gel reaction and chemisorption process. The curing characteristics, adhesive strength, and moisture permeability of the proposed sealing composite have been compared to those of a conventional epoxy–acrylate composite containing inorganic silica particles. The composites including hybrid nanoparticles exhibited high UV and heat curing ratios owing to the numerous methacrylate groups on the nanoparticle surface and high compatibility with organic resins. Moreover, the proposed sealing composite showed high adhesion strength and extremely low water permeability due to the creation of densely photocrosslinked network with matrix resins. In addition, the sealing composite exhibited excellent narrow dispensing width as well as relatively low viscosity, suggesting the potential application in narrow bezel display. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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19 pages, 3916 KiB  
Article
Electrospun Composites Made of Reduced Graphene Oxide and Polyacrylonitrile-Based Activated Carbon Nanofibers (rGO/ACNF) for Enhanced CO2 Adsorption
by Faten Ermala Che Othman, Norhaniza Yusof, Javier González-Benito, Xiaolei Fan and Ahmad Fauzi Ismail
Polymers 2020, 12(9), 2117; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092117 - 17 Sep 2020
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3119
Abstract
In this work, we report the preparation of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based activated carbon nanofibers composited with different concentrations of reduced graphene oxide (rGO/ACNF) (1%, 5%, and 10% relative to PAN weight) by a simple electrospinning method. The electrospun nanofibers (NFs) were carbonized and physically [...] Read more.
In this work, we report the preparation of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based activated carbon nanofibers composited with different concentrations of reduced graphene oxide (rGO/ACNF) (1%, 5%, and 10% relative to PAN weight) by a simple electrospinning method. The electrospun nanofibers (NFs) were carbonized and physically activated to obtain activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs). Texture, surface and elemental properties of the pristine ACNFs and composites were characterized using various techniques. In comparison to pristine ACNF, the incorporation of rGO led to changes in surface and textural characteristics such as specific surface area (SBET), total pore volume (Vtotal), and micropore volume (Vmicro) of 373 m2/g, 0.22 cm3/g, and 0.15 cm3/g, respectively, which is much higher than the pristine ACNFs (e.g., SBET = 139 m2/g). The structural and morphological properties of the pristine ACNFs and their composites were studied by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) respectively. Carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption on the pristine ACNFs and rGO/ACNF composites was evaluated at different pressures (5, 10, and 15 bars) based on static volumetric adsorption. At 15 bar, the composite with 10% of rGO (rGO/ACNF0.1) that had the highest SBET, Vtotal, and Vmicro, as confirmed with BET model, exhibited the highest CO2 uptake of 58 mmol/g. These results point out that both surface and texture have a strong influence on the performance of CO2 adsorption. Interestingly, at p < 10 bar, the adsorption process of CO2 was found to be quite well fitted by pseudo-second order model (i.e., the chemisorption), whilst at 15 bar, physisorption prevailed, which was explained by the pseudo-first order model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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22 pages, 5404 KiB  
Article
Graphene and Polyethylene: A Strong Combination Towards Multifunctional Nanocomposites
by Mar López-González, Araceli Flores, Fabrizio Marra, Gary Ellis, Marián Gómez-Fatou and Horacio J. Salavagione
Polymers 2020, 12(9), 2094; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092094 - 15 Sep 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3995
Abstract
The key to the preparation of polymer nanocomposites with new or improved properties resides in the homogeneous dispersion of the filler and in the efficient load transfer between components through strong filler/polymer interfacial interactions. This paper reports on the preparation of a series [...] Read more.
The key to the preparation of polymer nanocomposites with new or improved properties resides in the homogeneous dispersion of the filler and in the efficient load transfer between components through strong filler/polymer interfacial interactions. This paper reports on the preparation of a series of nanocomposites of graphene and a polyolefin using different experimental approaches, with the final goal of obtaining multifunctional materials. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is employed as the matrix, while unmodified and chemically modified graphene fillers are used. By selecting the correct combination as well as the adequate preparation process, the nanocomposites display optimized thermal and mechanical properties, while also conferring good gas barrier properties and significant levels of electrical conductivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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14 pages, 3990 KiB  
Article
pH-Responsive Gamma-Irradiated Poly(Acrylic Acid)-Cellulose-Nanocrystal-Reinforced Hydrogels
by Wan Hafizi Wan Ishak, Oo Yong Jia and Ishak Ahmad
Polymers 2020, 12(9), 1932; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12091932 - 27 Aug 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3990
Abstract
A pH-sensitive poly(acrylic acid) composite hydrogel was successfully synthesized via gamma irradiation and reinforced with cellulosic materials of different sizes. Cellulose was extracted from rice husks via alkali and bleaching treatment, and an acid hydrolysis treatment was performed to extract cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). [...] Read more.
A pH-sensitive poly(acrylic acid) composite hydrogel was successfully synthesized via gamma irradiation and reinforced with cellulosic materials of different sizes. Cellulose was extracted from rice husks via alkali and bleaching treatment, and an acid hydrolysis treatment was performed to extract cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Morphological observation of cellulose and CNCs using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed diameters of 22–123 μm and 5–16 nm, respectively. The swelling properties of the fabricated poly(acrylic acid)/cellulosic hydrogels were found to respond to changes in pH, and CNC-reinforced hydrogels performed better than cellulose-reinforced hydrogels. The highly crystalline CNC provided a greater storage modulus, hence acting as a better reinforcing material for poly(acrylic acid)-based hydrogels. SEM showed that hydrogels reinforced with the CNC nanofillers contained a homogeneous pore distribution and produced better interfacial interactions than those reinforced with the cellulose microfillers, thus performing better as hydrogels. These findings demonstrate that gamma-irradiated poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels reinforced with CNCs exhibit a better stimuli response toward pH than poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels reinforced with cellulose. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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24 pages, 9429 KiB  
Article
Bulk-Surface Modification of Nanoparticles for Developing Highly-Crosslinked Polymer Nanocomposites
by Maryam Jouyandeh, Mohammad Reza Ganjali, Mustafa Aghazadeh, Sajjad Habibzadeh, Krzysztof Formela and Mohammad Reza Saeb
Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1820; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081820 - 13 Aug 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2736
Abstract
Surface modification of nanoparticles with functional molecules has become a routine method to compensate for diffusion-controlled crosslinking of thermoset polymer composites at late stages of crosslinking, while bulk modification has not carefully been discussed. In this work, a highly-crosslinked model polymer nanocomposite based [...] Read more.
Surface modification of nanoparticles with functional molecules has become a routine method to compensate for diffusion-controlled crosslinking of thermoset polymer composites at late stages of crosslinking, while bulk modification has not carefully been discussed. In this work, a highly-crosslinked model polymer nanocomposite based on epoxy and surface-bulk functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was developed. MNPs were synthesized electrochemically, and then polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface-functionalized (PEG-MNPs) and PEG-functionalized cobalt-doped (Co-PEG-MNPs) particles were developed and used in nanocomposite preparation. Various analyses including field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) were employed in characterization of surface and bulk of PEG-MNPs and Co-PEG-MNPs. Epoxy nanocomposites including the aforementioned MNPs were prepared and analyzed by nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study their curing potential in epoxy/amine system. Analyses based on Cure Index revealed that incorporation of 0.1 wt.% of Co-PEG-MNPs into epoxy led to Excellent cure at all heating rates, which uncovered the assistance of bulk modification of nanoparticles to the crosslinking of model epoxy nanocomposites. Isoconversional methods revealed higher activation energy for the completely crosslinked epoxy/Co-PEG-MNPs nanocomposite compared to the neat epoxy. The kinetic model based on isoconversional methods was verified by the experimental rate of cure reaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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16 pages, 4374 KiB  
Article
Acrylic Bone Cements Modified with Graphene Oxide: Mechanical, Physical, and Antibacterial Properties
by Mayra Eliana Valencia Zapata, Lina Marcela Ruiz Rojas, José Herminsul Mina Hernández, Johannes Delgado-Ospina and Carlos David Grande Tovar
Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1773; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081773 - 07 Aug 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2843
Abstract
Bacterial infections are a common complication after total joint replacements (TJRs), the treatment of which is usually based on the application of antibiotic-loaded cements; however, owing to the increase in antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, the possibility of studying new antibacterial agents in acrylic bone cements [...] Read more.
Bacterial infections are a common complication after total joint replacements (TJRs), the treatment of which is usually based on the application of antibiotic-loaded cements; however, owing to the increase in antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, the possibility of studying new antibacterial agents in acrylic bone cements (ABCs) is open. In this study, the antibacterial effect of formulations of ABCs loaded with graphene oxide (GO) between 0 and 0.5 wt.% was evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram-negative ones: Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. It was found that the effect of GO was dependent on the concentration and type of bacteria: GO loadings ≥0.2 wt.% presented total inhibition of Gram-negative bacteria, while GO loadings ≥0.3 wt.% was necessary to achieve the same effect with Gram-positives bacteria. Additionally, the evaluation of some physical and mechanical properties showed that the presence of GO in cement formulations increased wettability by 17%, reduced maximum temperature during polymerization by 19%, increased setting time by 40%, and increased compressive and flexural mechanical properties by up to 17%, all of which are desirable behaviors in ABCs. The formulation of ABC loading with 0.3 wt.% GO showed great potential for use as a bone cement with antibacterial properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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17 pages, 5291 KiB  
Article
Effect of Injection Molding Conditions on Crystalline Structure and Electrical Resistivity of PP/MWCNT Nanocomposites
by Marta Zaccone, Ilaria Armentano, Federico Cesano, Domenica Scarano, Alberto Frache, Luigi Torre and Marco Monti
Polymers 2020, 12(8), 1685; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081685 - 28 Jul 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2730
Abstract
Polypropylene (PP) / multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt-mixing and used to manufacture samples by injection molding. The effect of processing conditions on the crystallinity and electrical resistivity was studied. Accordingly, samples were produced varying the mold temperature and injection [...] Read more.
Polypropylene (PP) / multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt-mixing and used to manufacture samples by injection molding. The effect of processing conditions on the crystallinity and electrical resistivity was studied. Accordingly, samples were produced varying the mold temperature and injection rate, and the DC electrical resistivity was measured. The morphology of MWCNT clusters was studied by optical and electron microscopy, while X-ray diffraction was used to study the role of the crystalline structure of PP. As a result, an anisotropic electrical behavior induced by the process was observed, which is further influenced by the injection molding processing condition. It was demonstrated that a reduction of electrical resistivity can be obtained by increasing mold temperature and injection rate, which was associated to the formation of the γ-phase and the related inter-cluster morphology of the MWCNT conductive network. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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10 pages, 1939 KiB  
Article
Engineering Graphene Oxide/Water Interface from First Principles to Experiments for Electrostatic Protective Composites
by Luca Valentini, Silvia Bittolo Bon and Giacomo Giorgi
Polymers 2020, 12(7), 1596; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12071596 - 18 Jul 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3178
Abstract
From the global spread of COVID-19 we learned that SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted via respiratory liquid droplets. In this study, we performed first-principles calculations suggesting that water molecules once in contact with the graphene oxide (GO) layer interact with its functional groups, [...] Read more.
From the global spread of COVID-19 we learned that SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transmitted via respiratory liquid droplets. In this study, we performed first-principles calculations suggesting that water molecules once in contact with the graphene oxide (GO) layer interact with its functional groups, therefore, developing an electric field induced by the heterostructure formation. Experiments on GO polymer composite film supports the theoretical findings, showing that the interaction with water aerosol generates a voltage output signal of up to −2 V. We then developed an electrostatic composite fiber by the coagulation method mixing GO with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These findings could be used to design protective fabrics with antiviral activity against negatively charged spike proteins of airborne viruses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites)
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