Transparent and high gas barrier films based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene oxide composites

Composites of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized by a modified Hummers method and a solution-mixing method. GO was fully exfoliated in the PVA/GO composites. GO did not affect the crystallization of PVA during solvent evaporation. GO is itself an excellent gas barrier without any chemical reduction. The oxygen permeability of the PVA/GO (0.3 wt.%) composite coated film was 17 times lower than that of the pure poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film, with 92% light transmittance at 550 nm. Composites of PVA and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were synthesized by performing chemical reduction using hydrazine monohydrate. The oxygen permeability of the PVA/RGO (0.3 wt.%) composite coated film was 86 times lower than that of the pure PET film, with 73% light transmittance at 550 nm. The reduction of oxygen permeability was mainly attributed to the reduced oxygen solubility in the PVA/GO composite film, while it was attributed to both the reduced oxygen diffusivity and solubility in the PVA/RGO composite film.