Adhesion of graphene oxide on a transparent PET substrate: a study focused on the optimization process

The procedure with the aim to optimize a process of transfer of GO layer, formed by filtration on a PET substrate, was run out in two stages. First, using a Plackett–Burman experimental design strategy was to investigate the most significant technological parameters. Seven types of different interlayer materials (composed either of polymers or smaller organic molecules) were used to improve the quality of the operation. Using a quantitative structure property relationship strategy, it was stated that the hydrogen bonds play a very important role in the quality assurance of the process of GO transfer. However, hydrogen bonds formed between GO sheets and interlayer molecules influence only in the case when these molecules are sufficiently large. SEM images have shown that the morphology of GO layer after transfer is dependent on the interlayer material. Raman spectra revealed typical changes in the structure of GO layer using different interlayer materials. Arrangement of GO sheets in the layer and the structure of the GO single layer can be controlled by using appropriate interlayer materials. It was found that the main parameters, operating the quality of the process of GO transfer are: the thickness of interlayer, the coating thickness, and the temperature. At the second stage, using a simplex optimization strategy, a specific set of optimal values to obtain the best quality during the transfer procedure, was determined.