Bio-based tough hyperbranched epoxy/graphene oxide nanocomposite with enhanced biodegradability attribute

Nanocomposites of a bio-based hyperbranched epoxy (HBE) with different doses (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt%) of graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by solution mixing technique and cured afterwards with poly(amido-amine) hardener at 120 degrees C. Different analytical techniques were employed to characterize and examine the structure of GO based nanocomposites. Performance investigation revealed tremendous improvements in adhesive strength by 189%, toughness by 263%, tensile strength by 161% and elongation at break by 159% after the incorporation of 0.5 wt% of GO into HBE. The unison of above properties with enhanced biodegradability of all the nanocomposites against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria signifies their potential as advanced and sustainable material for various applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.