Effect of starch reduced graphene oxide on thermal and mechanical properties of phenol formaldehyde resin nanocomposites

Phenol formaldehyde (PF) resins are one of the oldest synthesized and very widely used resins. Their properties can be improved with the incorporation nano-fillers even with lower loadings. Graphene materials have attracted significant attention in recent years owing to its exceptional thermal, mechanical and electrical properties. Herein, we report a very simple and effective way to reduce graphene oxide (GO) by using highly abundant potato starch instead of conventionally used toxic and hazardous reducing agents like hydrazine. The reduced GO (RGO) is then effectively incorporated into PF resin by optimizing various processing parameters. The reinforcing effect of RGO sheets on the PF matrix was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The effect of RGO on thermal properties of the polymer nanocomposites was studied using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The mechanical properties of PF/RGO composites were studied by tensile and Izod impact tests. The fracture mechanism of the composites was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Theoretical prediction of the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites using Halpin-Tsai models gave sufficient information regarding the orientation of graphene sheets in PF matrix.