Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCL

Abstract This study investigates the impact of hybridizing graphene oxide (GO) with zinc oxide (ZnO) at varying ratios (1:1 and 1:2) and concentrations (0.5, 0.75, 1 wt%) on the rheological, mechanical, hydrolytic degradation, and antibacterial properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites. GO...

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Main Authors: Parsa Dadashi, Kosar Torbatinejad, Amir Babaei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02087-8
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author Parsa Dadashi
Kosar Torbatinejad
Amir Babaei
author_facet Parsa Dadashi
Kosar Torbatinejad
Amir Babaei
author_sort Parsa Dadashi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates the impact of hybridizing graphene oxide (GO) with zinc oxide (ZnO) at varying ratios (1:1 and 1:2) and concentrations (0.5, 0.75, 1 wt%) on the rheological, mechanical, hydrolytic degradation, and antibacterial properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites. GO, ZnO, and GO-ZnO nanohybrids were synthesized and characterized using TEM, AFM, Raman, and FT-IR spectroscopy to confirm their structure and composition. PCL/ZnO nanocomposites were fabricated via solution mixing. Mechanical testing revealed that 0.5 wt% GO-ZnO (1:1) significantly enhanced tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break, owing to strong interfacial adhesion and uniform dispersion within the PCL matrix. Rheological analysis indicated increased elasticity at 1 wt%, suggesting agglomeration and altered hydrodynamic interactions, while viscosity decreased, particularly at 0.75 wt%, due to sliding effects and accelerated thermal degradation. Hydrolytic degradation tests demonstrated that 0.75 wt% GO-ZnO composites lost 70.2% weight after 26 days in PBS, compared to negligible loss in pure PCL. Antibacterial activity improved by 50% with 0.5 wt% GO-ZnO incorporation. These results underscore PCL/GO-ZnO nanocomposites’ enhanced mechanical strength, rapid degradation, and antibacterial efficacy, positioning them as promising candidates for bio-packaging applications.
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spelling doaj-art-d5aa176a9d574fdc9c9e24ca1999c85d2025-08-20T03:48:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-02087-8Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCLParsa Dadashi0Kosar Torbatinejad1Amir Babaei2Advanced Polymer Materials & Processing Lab, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of TehranDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Golestan UniversityDepartment of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Golestan UniversityAbstract This study investigates the impact of hybridizing graphene oxide (GO) with zinc oxide (ZnO) at varying ratios (1:1 and 1:2) and concentrations (0.5, 0.75, 1 wt%) on the rheological, mechanical, hydrolytic degradation, and antibacterial properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposites. GO, ZnO, and GO-ZnO nanohybrids were synthesized and characterized using TEM, AFM, Raman, and FT-IR spectroscopy to confirm their structure and composition. PCL/ZnO nanocomposites were fabricated via solution mixing. Mechanical testing revealed that 0.5 wt% GO-ZnO (1:1) significantly enhanced tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation at break, owing to strong interfacial adhesion and uniform dispersion within the PCL matrix. Rheological analysis indicated increased elasticity at 1 wt%, suggesting agglomeration and altered hydrodynamic interactions, while viscosity decreased, particularly at 0.75 wt%, due to sliding effects and accelerated thermal degradation. Hydrolytic degradation tests demonstrated that 0.75 wt% GO-ZnO composites lost 70.2% weight after 26 days in PBS, compared to negligible loss in pure PCL. Antibacterial activity improved by 50% with 0.5 wt% GO-ZnO incorporation. These results underscore PCL/GO-ZnO nanocomposites’ enhanced mechanical strength, rapid degradation, and antibacterial efficacy, positioning them as promising candidates for bio-packaging applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02087-8PCLGO-ZnO nanohybridsRheologyDegradationBio-packaging application
spellingShingle Parsa Dadashi
Kosar Torbatinejad
Amir Babaei
Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCL
Scientific Reports
PCL
GO-ZnO nanohybrids
Rheology
Degradation
Bio-packaging application
title Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCL
title_full Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCL
title_fullStr Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCL
title_full_unstemmed Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCL
title_short Hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio-nanocomposites: GO-ZnO hybrid reinforced PCL
title_sort hybridization as a promising approach to engineering the desired performance of bio nanocomposites go zno hybrid reinforced pcl
topic PCL
GO-ZnO nanohybrids
Rheology
Degradation
Bio-packaging application
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02087-8
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AT kosartorbatinejad hybridizationasapromisingapproachtoengineeringthedesiredperformanceofbionanocompositesgoznohybridreinforcedpcl
AT amirbabaei hybridizationasapromisingapproachtoengineeringthedesiredperformanceofbionanocompositesgoznohybridreinforcedpcl