Development of gelatin aerogels reinforced with graphene oxide by microwave-assisted synthesis: Influence of the synthesis conditions on their physicochemical properties

Gelatin aerogels reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) at different pH values of GO and Gelatin:GO ratios were developed by microwave (MW)-assisted synthesis. The chemical characterization demonstrated noncovalent and covalent interactions under acidic and alkaline conditions, respectively. The elastic modulus increased 6 times and 1.38-fold, and the swelling ratio (SR) increased 1.2-fold and 1.4 times for aerogels at acidic and alkaline pH, respectively, when the gelatin content increased. The surface charge shifted from positive to negative values by increasing the pH. Additionally, a higher SR value was found for the aerogel synthesized in alkaline environment and lowest Gelatin:GO ratio, and its properties were compared to an aerogel synthesized by traditional processes to validate the MW as synthesis method. Similar physicochemical properties were identified in both aerogels, with an increase in the SR value for the MW synthetized aerogel of 1.5 times. This study provides a new synthesis method to develop gelatin-GO aerogels. [Display omitted] •Gelatin aerogels reinforced with GO were developed by microwave-assisted synthesis.•Physicochemical properties of gelatin-GO aerogels were evaluated.•Microwave-assisted synthesis in shorter time compared to methodologies reported.•A new synthesis method to develop gelatin-GO aerogels was provided.