Fabrication and properties of graphene oxide-reinforced carrageenan film

Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized using a modified Hummer's method. GO and kappa-Carrageenan(kappa-Car) film (GO/kappa-Car film) was prepared via tape casting and characterized by IR, SEM, and TGA. We optimized the formula and preparation conditions of GO/kappa-Car film by single-factor experiment to obtain the proper appearance, solubility, water vapor permeation and mechanical properties. The stable film was fabricated as follows 15. 0 g 3% kappa-Car solution, 0. 040 g GO powder and 5. 0 g 8% PVA solution were mixed by intensely stirring for 5 h at 75 degrees C. The mixture was then cast evenly, kept at 30 degrees C for 6. 5 h and peeled off as a free-standing film. Compared with the kappa-Car film, the mechanical properties of the GO/kappa-Car film were significantly improved. With incorporation of 5. 0 % GO, the peak load, tensile strength and tensile modulus of the GO/kappa-Car film are improved by 1. 5-fold, 1. 5-fold and 1. 6-fold, respectively. Meanwhile, GO/kappa-Car film has good water vapor permeability as well as hydroxyl radical scavenging activity.