The effect of graphene flake size on the properties of graphene‐based polymer composite films

Graphene/carbohydrate polymer composites as emerging hybrid materials in tumor therapy and diagnosis

Despite the introduction of various types of treatments for cancer control, cancer therapy faces several challenges such as aggressive behavior, heterogeneous characteristics, and the development of resistance. In contrast, the methods have depended on the creation and formulation of nanoparticles to impede tumor growth. Carbon nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention for cancer therapy, with graphene nanoparticles emerging as promising vehicles for delivering drugs and genes. Moreover, graphene composites can enhance immunotherapy, phototherapy, and combination therapies. Nonetheless, the biocompatibility and toxicity of graphene composites present difficulties. Consequently, this manuscript assesses the alteration of graphene nanocomposites using carbohydrate polymers. Altering graphene composites with carbohydrate polymers such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, cellulose, and starch can enhance their efficacy in cancer treatment. Furthermore, graphene composites functionalized with carbohydrate polymers for tumor ablation induced by phototherapy. Graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots have been modified with carbohydrate polymers to enhance their therapeutic and diagnostic uses. These nanoparticles can transport gene therapy techniques like siRNA in the treatment of cancer. Despite the breakdown of these nanoparticles within the body, they maintain excellent biosafety and biocompatibility.

Effect of the Addition of Graphene Flakes on the Physical and Biological Properties of Composite Paints

In this study, graphene flakes were obtained using an electrolytic method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM). Graphene-based composites with varying concentrations of 0.5%, 1% and 3% by weight were prepared with acrylic paint, enamel and varnish matrices. The mechanical properties were evaluated using micro-hardness testing, while wettability and antimicrobial activity against three pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus 33591, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 15442, Candida albicans 10231) were also examined. The results indicate that the addition of graphene flakes significantly enhances both the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of the coatings.

Environmental and health impacts of functional graphenic materials and their ultrasonically altered products

Graphenic materials have excited the scientific community due to their exciting mechanical, thermal, and optoelectronic properties for a potential range of applications. Graphene and graphene derivatives have demonstrated application in areas stretching from composites to medicine; however, the environmental and health impacts of these materials have not been sufficiently characterized. Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most widely used graphenic derivatives due to a relatively easy and scalable synthesis, and the ability to tailor the oxygen containing functional groups through further chemical modification. In this paper, ecological and health impacts of fresh and ultrasonically altered functional graphenic materials (FGMs) were investigated. Model organisms, specifically Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Caenorhabditis elegans, were used to assess the consequences of environmental exposure to fresh and ultrasonically altered FGMs. FGMs were selected to evaluate the environmental effects of aggregation state, degree of oxidation, charge, and ultrasonication. The major findings indicate that bacterial cell viability, nematode fertility, and nematode movement were largely unaffected, suggesting that a wide variety of FGMs may not pose significant health and environmental risks.

M. G, B. S, V. B, V. D, N. N, Jule LT, Ramaswamy K. Influence of reduced graphene oxide addition on kerf width in abrasive water jet machining of nanofiller added epoxy-glass fibre composite

The present study aims to develop a novel hybrid polymer composite with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as filler and optimize its Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM) parameters for reduced kerf width. The influence of rGO addition on kerf width is analysed in detail along with Pump pressure (bar), Transverse speed (mm/min) and Standoff distance(mm). The experiments are designed based on Taguchi’s orthogonal array techniques in which L27 is adopted for three input parameters at three levels. The influence of each factor is used to identify the significance of selected parameters over kerf width, and it was found that stand of distance has a major effect over kerf width irrespective of rGO %. The addition of rGO filler has a significant effect on kerf width, which decreases with the addition of rGO up to 0.2% and kerf width increases for further addition of rGO.

Increased dielectric performance of PVDF-based composites by electrochemical exfoliated graphite additives

Adding conductive graphene into polyvinyliden1 fluoride (PVDF) is an effective method to improve the dielectric properties. However, the high conductivity and uniform distribution of graphene in PVDF matrix still meet challenges. In this work, electrochemical exfoliated graphite (EEG) with good conductivity and solution dispersion is used to prepare PVDF/EEG films. By this method no specific conditions are needed such as reduction or hot press. The dielectric properties and flexibility of PVDF/EEG films of different concentrations of EEG are investigated. Especially, when EEG content is 2.6 wt%, composite film has a high dielectric constant of 86 and a low dielectric loss of 0.9 (100 Hz). Simultaneously, the tensile strength of the film was up to 55.1 MPa. The preparation method is simple and convenient, and the obtained material has high dielectric constant and tensile strength. This method paves the way for the application of flexible electronic sensing equipment.

Recent Studies on Dispersion of Graphene-Polymer Composites

Graphene is an excellent 2D material that has extraordinary properties such as high surface area, electron mobility, conductivity, and high light transmission. Polymer composites are used in many applications in place of polymers. In recent years, the development of stable graphene dispersions with high graphene concentrations has attracted great attention due to their applications in energy, bio-fields, and so forth. Thus, this review essentially discusses the preparation of stable graphene-polymer composites/dispersions. Discussion on existing methods of preparing graphene is included with their merits and demerits. Among existing methods, mechanical exfoliation is widely used for the preparation of stable graphene dispersion, the theoretical background of this method is discussed briefly. Solvents, surfactants, and polymers that are used for dispersing graphene and the factors to be considered while preparing stable graphene dispersions are discussed in detail. Further, the direct applications of stable graphene dispersions are discussed briefly. Finally, a summary and prospects for the development of stable graphene dispersions are proposed.