Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate)/graphene oxide nanocomposites via in situ polymerization

Poly(butylene succinate‐co‐butylene adipate) (PBSA)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites were synthesized via in situ polymerization for the first time. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated the achievement of a single layer of GO, and transmission electron microscopy proved the homogeneous distribution of GO in the PBSA matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed the successful grafting of PBSA chains onto GO. With the incorporation of 1 wt % GO, the tensile strength and flexural modulus of the PBSA were enhanced by 50 and 27%, respectively. The thermal properties characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis showed increases in the melting temperatures, crystallization temperatures, and thermal stability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4075–4080, 2013