Reduction versus cross-linking: how to improve the tensile strength of graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol composite film

Both reduction and cross-linking can improve the mechanical performance of graphene/polymer composites. However, few reports exist on the comparison and combination of both methods. Taking graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol composite film as its model, this study focuses on the effect of reduction and cross-linking (as well as their order) on the composite film's tensile strength. GO/PVA composite films were prepared by a simple solution mixing method, then reduced with hydroiodic acid and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Both reduction and cross-linking can improve the tensile strength, but the effect of cross-linking is superior. The improvement of tensile strength is cumulative when reduction and cross-linking are used simultaneously or even successively. Moreover, the order in which these two methods are applied also plays a role; reduction first with cross-linking second shows superior results than the reverse. The tensile strength of the obtained composite film peaked at 112.8 MPa, which is over 7 times that of neat PVA.