Synthesis and characterization of poly(butylene succinate)-reduced graphene oxide composite through in-situ melt polymerization

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was selected as a reinforcing filler to be incorporated in Polybutylene succinate (PBS) through in-situ melt polymerization where enhancing and interesting properties were observed. Dispersed rGO showed no chemical interaction with PBS matrix by showing constant glass transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m) but clear indication of physical interaction was observed in increased tensile strength and elongation. With only 0.1 wt% of rGO, the tensile strength and the elongation at break were increased by 80% and 373%, respectively, compared to neat PBS. Regarding crystallization behavior of synthesized composites, thermal conducting effect of rGO was revealed to have an impact on crystallization process. Furthermore, through wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), the rGO functioned as a defect during crystallization and affected (021) and (020).