Photo-reduction of Graphene Oxide during Photo-polymerization of Graphene Oxide/Epoxy-Novolac Nanocomposite Coatings

Abstract

In the present study, in-situ UV reduction of graphene oxide (GO) during photo-polymerization of the epoxy-novolac nanocomposite and its effect on the thermal properties of nanocomposite were investigated at different loading level of GO. Chemical structure and structural distortion of GO before and after UV irradiation have been characterized using infrared and Raman spectroscopy as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Obtained results showed that GO has been reduced to graphene (Gr) in effect of UV irradiation. TEM and SEM observations indicated well dispersion of GO sheets within the cured epoxy resin matrix.