Robust Effects of Graphene Oxide on Polyurethane/Tourmaline Nanocomposite Fiber

Abstract

The use of energy therapy including tourmaline/negative ions has gained huge popularity due to their long-standing historical evidence in improving human health and the technology development. However, the limitations of tourmaline based polyurethane fibers including the unsatisfied mechanical properties and negative ions releasing performances hind their further applications for wearable energy therapy. In this study, graphene oxide was modified within the polyurethane/tourmaline nanocomposite and then the wet-spinning method was used to prepare the fibers. As expected, the results proved that polyurethane/tourmaline/graphene oxide fiber had enhanced Young’s modulus (8.4 MPa) and tensile stain at break (335%). In addition, the number of released negative ions from polyurethane/tourmaline/graphene oxide fiber was significantly improved 17 times and 1.6 times more than that of neat polyurethane fiber and polyurethane/tourmaline fiber, respectively. Moreover, the releasing number of negative ions was significantly decreased after being applying voltage. We envision that the proposed polyurethane/tourmaline/graphene oxide fiber will provide valuable insights into the development of the wearable energy products.