Study of polymer Graphene Quantum Dot nanocomposites

Abstract

We report a synthesis of well dispersed Graphene Quantum Dot (GQD) nanocomposites in a host cellulose acetate (CA) polymer system. It was systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultra-violet and Visible (UV–Vis), Photoluminescence (PL) techniques. Carboxylic and hydroxyl functional groups of GQD have chemically interacted with hydroxyl functional group of polymer network that leads to stabilization of the nanocomposite system. We observed that the amorphous to semi-crystalline phase disparity as a function of GQD loading which predominantly influenced the properties of nanocomposites. Decreased direct band gap of nanocomposites was analyzed by UV–Vis spectroscopic technique. Due to uniform dispersion and optimal loading of GQD in CA matrix an intense photoluminescence spectrum was observed. The existence of GQD occupied in the polymer system was examined by SEM, AFM and TEM microscopic techniques. It has been found that electrical conductivity of the composite was depended on temperature and similarly, decreased softness was related to the function of GQD loading. This investigation can be extendable for the devolvement of optical and electrical devices.