Issue 22, 2024

Multiple hydrogen bonding in crosslinked graphene oxide films with improved stretchability and toughness

Abstract

Transforming the microscopic graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets into macroscopic film materials holds significant promise for various applications. However, those GO films normally suffer from low tensile strength and poor toughness. Optimizing the assembly of GO nanosheets, especially in designing the interactions between adjacent nanosheets, remains challenging. Herein, inspired by mussels, we incorporated polymer rich in UPy functional units into GO films, namely GUPy films. The multiple hydrogen bonding between the UPy units and oxygen-containing groups on GO nanosheets resulted in highly stretchable and tough GO films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the presence of UPy in the films, revealing tightly linked layered structures at the microscopic level. Macroscopically, the films displayed exceptional flexibility, withstanding folding and curling without damage. Tensile tests demonstrated the superior mechanical properties of the GUPy film, which boasts a Young's modulus of 1100.5 MPa, fracture strain of 24.0%, tensile strength of 183.5 MPa, and toughness of 19.5 MJ m−3. These values are 2.3, 2.4, 6.0, and 12.2 times higher than those of pure GO films, respectively, and significantly exceed those of control films lacking UPy. Additionally, cyclic tensile tests confirmed the excellent energy dissipation capability of the GUPy film. This bio-inspired strategy offers a promising route for developing high-performance two-dimensional materials, expanding their potential applications.

Graphical abstract: Multiple hydrogen bonding in crosslinked graphene oxide films with improved stretchability and toughness

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
04 Jul 2024
Accepted
03 Sep 2024
First published
04 Sep 2024

Mater. Chem. Front., 2024,8, 3724-3730

Multiple hydrogen bonding in crosslinked graphene oxide films with improved stretchability and toughness

M. Yang, C. Wang, W. Wang, L. Yang, S. Qu, Z. Zhang and X. Yan, Mater. Chem. Front., 2024, 8, 3724 DOI: 10.1039/D4QM00571F

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