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Synthesis and characterization of graphene-based nanocomposites with potential use for biomedical applications

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Abstract

In the present study, graphene-based nanocomposites containing different amounts of nanofiller dispersed into Bis-GMA/tetraethyleneglycol diacrylate (Bis-GMA/TEGDA) polymer matrix have been prepared. In particular, the graphene dispersions, produced at high concentration (up to 6 mg/ml) by simple sonication of graphite in TEGDA monomer, have been used for the direct preparation of nanocomposite copolymers with Bis-GMA. The morphology of the obtained nanocomposites has been investigated as well as their thermal and mechanical properties. SEM analyses have clearly shown that graphene deeply interacts with the polymer matrix, thus resulting in a reinforcing effect on the material as proved by compression and hardness tests; at variance, graphene does not seem to affect the glass transition temperature of the obtained polymer networks.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially financed by the Italian Ministry of the University and Research (PRIN).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Sassari, Local INSTM Unit, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Daniele Nuvoli, Valeria Alzari, Roberta Sanna, Sergio Scognamillo & Alberto Mariani

  2. Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia, Politecnico di Torino, sede di Alessandria, Local INSTM Unit, Viale T. Michel 5, 15121, Alessandria, Italy

    Jenny Alongi & Giulio Malucelli

Authors
  1. Daniele Nuvoli
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  2. Valeria Alzari
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  3. Roberta Sanna
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  4. Sergio Scognamillo
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  5. Jenny Alongi
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  6. Giulio Malucelli
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  7. Alberto Mariani
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Correspondence to Giulio Malucelli or Alberto Mariani.

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Nuvoli, D., Alzari, V., Sanna, R. et al. Synthesis and characterization of graphene-based nanocomposites with potential use for biomedical applications. J Nanopart Res 15, 1512 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-1512-x

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