Mechanical Properties Optimization of Cellulose Nanofiber/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Produced by Mixing Method

Abstract

This research implemented a green route to multifunctional nanocomposite materials composed by cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and graphene oxide (GO). Aqueous solutions with different ratio of GO (prepared with LiCl/DMAc 8%(w / v)) were mixed with cellulose nanofiber by using magnetic stirrer at the temperature of 70 o C for 30 minutes. The mixture obtained was dried in room temperature for 24 hours. The nanocomposite were characterized with several analysis such as; Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), mechanical properties testing, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. The characteristic of cellulose nanofiber functional groups was exhibited through FTIR spectra. The CNF/GO with 0.06wt% indicated a higher mechanical properties compared to the CNF. Its tensile strength increased drastically from 26.36 MPa to 49.69 MPa while its young's modulus also showed an extreme increase from 1.379381 GPa to 6.973478 GPa respectively. Moreover, cellulose nanofiber diameter had been examined through TEM and its morphology was analyzed with SEM. Finally, it can be concluded that the celulose nanofiber mechanical properties can be optimized by graphene oxide through the mixing process.