Production and characterization of graphene/PVC biocomposite from seashell wastes

Abstract

Sea shell waste are rich resources which contain calcium and organic materials which could be used as reinforcement in biocomposites due to their abundance and inexpensive. Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is widely used as bio-filler for composites because of its ease synthesis, large surface area and antibacterial property. Therefore, in this work, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) biocomposites were prepared by reinforcing grinded seashell wastes (SS) into PVC matrix in the presence of RGO as a bio-filler. The biocomposites were produced by colloidal blending method. The structural properties of the biocomposites as a function of SS content were investigated. The biocomposites containing 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% of SS and 0.1 wt% of RGO filled were fabricated. Compositions (% oxide) of the SS were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectral analysis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and EDS mapping analysis. All the analysis results showed that SS distribution in the matrix was better at high reinforcement contents (15 and 20 wt%) compared to low contents (5 and 10% by weight). Since better dispersion of RGO and better interfacial interactions between SS and PVC are important factors in enhancing the properties of biocomposites, this study showed that SS and RGO could be effective, green and potentially cost-efficient alternatives to bio-reinforcement and bio-filler materials.