Synthesis and properties of polyimide nanocomposite containing dopamine-modified graphene oxide

Polyimide (PI)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites with different loads of polydopamine-modified graphene oxide (PI/PDA-GO) were prepared. Meanwhile, the as-prepared PI/PDA-GO nanocomposites were compared with pure PI in terms of their morphologies, thermal and mechanical properties. Only a minor mass fraction of PDA-GO was required to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of PI. The tensile strength of 1 wt% PDA-GO/PI was increased by 12% and the tensile modulus of 1 wt% PDA-GO/PI nanocomposites was increased by 25% compared to those of pure PI. Vickers hardness of the PI hybrid films increased with PDA-GO load and the maximum enhancement in Vickers hardness was observed at 2 wt% PDA-GO loading. On the other hand, the storage modulus of 1 wt% PDA-GO/PI was increased by 54% than that of neat PI. In consideration of the facile preparation of PDA-coated GO, superior physical properties over neat PI, PI/PDA-GO nanocomposites showed promising applications as functional films or composites.