Tuning the properties of novel and biodegradable ethyl-cellulose (EC)/rGO nanocomposite

Abstract

This study investigates the tunable properties of novel and biodegradable ethyl cellulose (EC)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites by varying concentrations of rGO nanofillers. The EC/rGO nanocomposites were prepared by an uncomplicated chemical mixing route. The influence of rGO content on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the nanocomposite was systematically studied. The obtained results reveal that the incorporation of rGO enhances the crystallite size with reduced dislocation density and micro-strain in the nanocomposites. The incorporation of rGO was found capable of reducing bandgaps significantly by a magnitude of ∼0.62 eV with an increase in Urbach energy of ∼0.76 eV and a less enhanced refractive index of the nanocomposite. Further, D, G, 2D, and (D + G) modes were found to be present to define the Raman spectra of the nanocomposites. From FTIR spectra, the presence of C–H, C = O, and C–O stretching vibrations in the composite was confirmed. Moreover, electrical constraints, such as dielectric constant, dissipation factor, and ac and dc conductivity, along with frequency exponent, were found to be enhanced by increasing the strength of the incorporated rGO nanofiller. Thus, the findings provide critical insights into the design of biodegradable and multifunctional nanocomposites, paving the way for their application in sustainable packaging, electronics, and biomedical devices.