This study describes a simple and effective method of synthesis of a polyurethane/graphene nanocomposite. Cationic waterborne polyurethane (CWPU) was used as the polymer matrix, and graphene oxide (GO) as a starting nanofiller. The CWPU/GO nanocomposite was prepared by first mixing a CWPU emulsion with a GO colloidal dispersion. The positively charged CWPU latex particles were assembled on the surfaces of the negatively charged GO nanoplatelets through electrostatic interactions. Then, the CWPU/chemically reduced GO (RGO) was obtained by treating the CWPU/GO with hydrazine hydrate in DMF. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman analysis showed that the RGO nanoplatelets were well dispersed and exfoliated in the CWPU matrix. The electrical conductivity of the CWPU/RGO nanocomposite could reach 0.28 S m−1, and the thermal conductivity was as high as 1.71 W m−1 K−1. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the CWPU/RGO‐coated PET film was significantly decreased to 0.6 cm3 m−2 day−1, indicating a high oxygen barrier property. This remarkable improvement in the electrical and thermal conductivity and barrier property of the CWPU/RGO nanocomposite is attributed to the electrostatic interactions and the molecular‐level dispersion of RGO nanoplatelets in the CWPU matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43117.

Using sweet potato starch, butanol, and dodecyl alcohol as raw materials, the alkyl indican surfactant was synthesized by two-step reactions with composite catalysts of p-toluene sulfonic acid and citric acid, the synthesis conditions were investigated through orthogonal method and the structure of the product was characterized by IR and mass spectroscopy. The weeding test was also studied by adding the appropriate proportion of alkyl indican surfactant. The results showed that the best technological conditions was: reaction took place under 120 C and last for 4 h, msweet potato starch:mn-butanol: mn-dodecanol=msp:mnb:mnd=1:2:5, the content of composite catalysts was 1.6 wt% p-toluene sulfonic acid and 10.0 wt% citric acid. The weeding test demonstrated that added 1% APG into the glyphosate could killed almost all weeds in five days and had an excellent weeding efficiency. Compared with spraying glyphosate with no APG, which could decrease the amount of glyphosate used and protect the environment.