Potential use of polyvinyl alcohol as an effective inclusion vehicle of thermally reduced graphene oxides in nanoreinforced aluminum matrix composites

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was investigated as a vehicle for incorporating thermally reduced graphene oxides (TRGOs) into metal matrix composites (MMCs). The TRGOs were synthesized using the modified Hummers' method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PVA/TRGOs nanocomposites were synthesized using the solution mixing technique. The dispersion qualification and quantification of TRGOs in PVA were evaluated through tension and nanoindentation tests, as well as elastic modulus mapping by nanoindentation. The results demonstrated a good dispersion of TRGOs in the PVA matrix, resulting in exceptional mechanical properties. The dispersion time and energy variables were carefully controlled, leading to a good dispersion degree verified by the quantification analysis. Furthermore, preliminary studies confirmed the effectiveness of PVA as an inclusion vehicle for nanoreinforcements in metallic matrices.