Preparation of reduced graphene oxide/gelatin composite films with reinforced mechanical strength

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2012.05.060· OSTI ID:22215715

Wang, Wenchao ^[1]; Wang, Zhipeng ^[1]; Liu, Yu; Li, Nan ^[1]; Wang, Wei ^[2]; Gao, Jianping ^[2]

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1. School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin (China)
2. School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin (China)

Highlights: ► We used and compared different proportion of gelatin and chitosan as reducing agents. ► The mechanical properties of the films are investigated, especially the wet films. ► The cell toxicity of the composite films as biomaterial is carried out. ► The water absorption capabilities of the composite films also studied. -- Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) was reduced by chitosan/gelatin solution and added to gelatin (Gel) to fabricate reduced graphene oxide/gelatin (RGO/Gel) films by a solvent-casting method using genipin as cross-linking agent. The structure and properties of the films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The addition of RGO increased the tensile strength of the RGO/Gel films in both dry and wet states, but decreased their elongation at break. The incorperation of RGO also decreased the swelling ability of the films in water. Cell cultures were carried out in order to test the cytotoxicity of the films. The cells grew and reproduced well on the RGO/Gel films, indicating that the addition of RGO has no negative effect on the compatibility of the gelatin. Therefore, the reduced graphene oxide/gelatin composite is a promising biomaterial with excellent mechanical properties and good cell compatibility.

• OSTI ID: 22215715
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 47, Issue 9; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION
GELATIN
GELS
GRAPHENE
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
OXIDES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
THIN FILMS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION