The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) is widely used as a filler in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), but strong GO – polymer interactions often reduce dispersion stability and degrade composite performance. Improving GO dispersion in polymer matrices therefore remains a key challenge. In this study, GO dispersibility was enhanced by adsorbing water - soluble polymers onto the GO surface. Polymer adsorption was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and changes in dispersion structure and rheological behavior were analy zed using small - angle X - ray scattering (SAXS). Stable dispersion was achieved even in a high – molecular weight PVA matrix, leading to improved thermal stability of the composites. These results demonstrate that polymer adsorption is an effective strategy fo r controlling dispersion stability and interfacial properties of GO - based nanocomposites.