High-performance multi-functional graphene/hexagonal boron nitride/poly(ethylene oxide) nanocomposites through enhanced interfacial interaction by coordination

Abstract

In this study, multi-functional nanocomposites with excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties were prepared through metal-ion coordination. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) interacted through calcium coordination bonding. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was added to bridge these two nanomaterials, providing more resistance to tensile deformation. The results of UV-Vis and FTIR spectra proved that coordination bonding was successfully formed among the three compounds. SEM images showed homogenous dispersions of the nanocomposite. After calcium-ion coordination, the mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of Ca²⁺-coordinated rGO/BN/PEO composite improved significantly, indicating that metal-ion coordination is a potential method for multi-functional nanocomposite fabrication.