A novel method for fabricating bioinspired layered nanocomposites using aligned graphene oxide/PVDF and their micromechanical modeling

Abstract Graphene and graphene derivatives are among the extensively studied materials as multifunctional reinforcement for polymeric materials. This is due to their relative ease of synthesis, interface engineering and wide range of property tailoring. In this study, we present a novel method for the fabrication of aligned graphene oxide/polyvinylidene fluoride (GO/PVDF) nanocomposite inspired by nacre-like materials. The process is based on the electrospinning of GO/PVDF solution on a rotating collecting drum to produce aligned fiber mats. The GO particles are forced to align in the direction of the fibers axis through the induced shear forces and the electric field resulting from the electrospinning process. Layered films can then be produced by successive folding and hot pressing. Microstructural analysis showed that the GO particles are well distributed and aligned with respect to the fiber axis. Mechanical testing showed enhancement in modulus and strength up to 0.3 wt%. However, fracture strain increased at 0.1 wt% and then decreased gradually for 0.2 and 0.3 wt%. Finite element modeling revealed the activation of crack deflection and excessive plastic deformation for 0.1 wt%, while cracks tend for coalesce forming a fracture plane and brittle fracture with further increase of GO content.