Facilitating the mechanical properties of a high-performance pH-sensitive membrane by cross-linking graphene oxide and polyacrylic acid

Graphene represents a two-dimensional material having extraordinary physical properties, which make it a prospective material for many applications. In particular, graphene oxide (GO), with abundant chemical functional groups, further extends the new functions of graphene-based materials. However, the preparation of GO materials through chemical reactions remains a challenge to materials science. Here, using suitable cross-linkable polymers, a GO–polyacrylic acid (PAA) composite membrane was prepared by a gel-desiccation approach. The fabricated membrane displays both well controlled mechanical characteristics and unique multiple pH response.

Zaixing Jiang, Dan Xia, Yue Li, Jun Li, Qiang Li, Menglin Chen, Yudong Huang, Flemming Besenbacher and Mingdong Dong

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