Preparation of Schiff base decorated graphene oxide and its application in TPU with enhanced thermal stability

Abstract

A facile in situ method of synthesis and immobilization of a copper(salen) complex onto graphene oxide (GO) support has been developed. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites were manufactured using a master batch-melt compounding approach, in which the nanohybrid material was added into a TPU matrix. Observed enhancements in the thermal stability and flame retardancy were ascribed to graphene oxide nanosheets functioning as physical barriers, as well as to the catalysis of the decomposition reaction by both copper chelates and Schiff bases to obtain increased char residues.