A novel and feasible approach for polymer amine modified graphene oxide to improve water resistance, thermal, and mechanical ability of waterborne polyurethane

Eco-friendly waterborne polyurethane/graphene oxide composites (WPU/GOs) are fabricated via self-prepared polymer (Triethylene tetramine-Polyethylene glycol Diglycidyl ether) to modify GO. By characterization analysis, it is found that the functional graphene oxide can not only overcome the accumulative problem of unfunctionalized GO incorporated WPU (WPU/GO) but also afford better unique properties to films. In compared with WPU film, WPU/FGO films with 0.05 wt% FGO loading water contact angle is increased from 72.5 degrees to 108 degrees. And the WPU/FGO(0.05) exhibits a superior water resistance, which of water absorption content is 2.46% with a dramatic decrease than that of pure WPU (8.23 wt%). Much more than this, the tensile strength of WPU/FGO composite is prominently improved by 126% without reducing its other superior ability.