Properties of graphene nano-filler reinforced epoxidized natural rubber composites (original) (raw)

Reinforcement of filled rubber is governed by the rubber-to-filler interactions at nano-scale. One of the potential nano-reinforcing fillers is graphene. Dispersing nano-filler into rubber matrix still remains a challenge despite many methods reported. This paper presents an investigation on the graphene nano-fillers reinforcement in natural rubber and epoxidized natural rubber. The effect of graphene dispersion on the filler-to-rubber and filler-to-filler interactions in carbon black- and silica-filled composite system is evaluated. The rheological, Payne effect and dynamic properties of graphene nano-filler natural rubber composite are presented. The presence of graphene reduces the Payne effect of epoxidized natural rubber-silica composite resulting from better dispersion of silica fillers. In addition, the physically bound rubber of epoxidized natural rubber-silica is increased with the addition of graphene indicating better rubber-to-filler interactions. The effect of graphene ...