Flexible nanostructured composites with graphene/DNA hybrids as multifunctional substrates for biomedical applications

This work illustrates the engineering and fabrication of nanostructured composite materials that are made of a polymeric matrix based on elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), with the aim to exploit the biocompatible character and the high flexibility of the matrix, together with the exceptional mechanical strength, light weight, good thermal and electrical conductivity of the nanofillers. In combination with the GNP reinforcement, DNA was used to improve the dispersion of the nanoparticles within the matrix. The properties of the final composites after cure were characterized using several techniques, including electric impedance spectroscopy, which allowed to have an overview of their multifunctional features. Thermal analysis by calorimetry was conducted to study the curing process of the nanocomposites. Mechanical properties of composites with PDMS matrix of different elasticity were characterized using the nanoindentation technique.