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.