Graphene Oxide functionalized with (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane and its applications in composites

Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising nanomaterial, coupling the superlative mechanical and electrical properties of graphene with ease in production from graphite and high dispersability in aqueous media[1]. Similarly, water-soluble sodium silicates (SS) are very versatile substances which find application in many fields of industry and engineering, such as adhesives, binders in foundries, and soil stabilizers and hardening agents in civil engineering, among others [2] The addition of small quantities of nanomaterials into sodium silicate matrices brings the possibility of increasing greatly the mechanical properties of the resulting composites.[3],[4] Is this study, we have evaluated the functionalization of GO with (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) as means of rendering the nanomaterial better dispersible in the liquid SS, as well as creating functional groups on its surface which can crosslink with the SS matrix once it is polymerized, improving the mechanical properties thereof. The functionalization of the GO was evaluated through FTIR, potentiometric titration and thermogravimetric techniques. The dispersions were studied through UV-vis spectroscopy, and, finally, the mechanical properties of the composites were assessed in compressive mechanical tests