Improved thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical performance of bio-degradable starch/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites

Bio-degradable and eco-friendly plasticized starch/reduced graphene oxide (PS/rGO) nanocomposites were made by a simple aqueous casting method. The effect of the rGO nanofiller on the structural, surface-morphological, mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties of the nanocomposite was studied. rGO enhances the thermal stability and significantly improves the mechanical strength of the polymer nanocomposite. The PS/rGO nanocomposite exhibits improved electrochemical performance and a specific capacitance as high as 42.25 F/g at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm2, which is about 20 times higher than that of PS (2.51 F/g). These improved thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of the PS/rGO may be attributed to the good interfacial interaction and preferential orientation of rGO sheets in the nanocomposites. The PS/rGO nanocomposites with improved thermal and mechanical properties together with enhanced electrochemical performance produced from an easy and low-cost process will provide a sustainable way for the fabrication of eco-friendly energy storage devices.