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

A Review on Graphene as Fillers in Rubber Nano-Composites

2019

Rubber Nano-composites is under research due to their unique properties. In rubbers/elastomers, fillers are used to gain specific improved properties for their final applications. For most of the operations, rubber has to be reinforced with certain kind of fillers such as carbon blacks, silica, and clay etc. Nanofiller-reinforced rubber exhibits high hardness, modulus, and anti-aging and gas barrier properties when compared with microfiller-reinforced rubber. Also rubber nanocomposites filled with graphene are in demand in the industrial application because of its distinctive electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. This article reviews about rubber nanocomposites, various nanofillers, advantages and challenges of rubber nanocomposites. Moreover, it summarizes the preparation techniques, innovative properties and potential applications of rubber/graphene nanocomposites. Keywords—Rubber/Elastomers, Micro-Fillers, Nano-Composites, Graphene Filler, Rubber Graphite Nanocomposites

Molecular-level dispersion of graphene into epoxidized natural rubber: Morphology, interfacial interaction and mechanical reinforcement

Polymer, 2014

The interfacial interaction of composites dominates the properties of polymeric/inorganic nanocomposites. Herein, epoxy and hydroxyl groups are introduced into the natural rubber (NR) molecular chains to anchor oxygenous functional groups on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) sheets and therefore enhance the interfacial interaction between GO and rubber. From the morphological observation and interaction analysis, it is found that epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) latex particles are assembled onto the surfaces of GO sheets by employing hydrogen bonding interaction as driving force. This self-assembly depresses restacking and agglomeration of GO sheets and leads to homogenous dispersion of GO within ENR matrix. The formation of hydrogen bonding interface between ENR and GO demonstrates a significant reinforcement for the ENR host. Compared with those of pure ENR, the composite with 0.7 wt% GO loading receives 87% increase in tensile strength and 8.7 fold increase in modulus at 200% elongation after static in-situ vulcanization.

The rubber–filler interaction and reinforcement in styrene butadiene rubber/devulcanize natural rubber composites with silica–graphene oxide

Polymer Composites, 2018

Ethoxy functionalized devulcanize natural rubber (DeVulcNR) is used as compatibilizer for silica/graphene oxide (SiO 2 @GO) hybrid fillers in the styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) to fabricate SBR composites. The dispersion behavior of SiO 2 @GO hybrid filler was investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the tensile fracture surface along with the broken rubber surface developed by plunging into liquid nitrogen. The rubber-filler interfacial interactions were evaluated through the measurement of equilibrium swelling experiment, fraction of immobilized polymer chain by DSC study, FTIR analysis, and molecular dynamics simulation. The results reveal that in the presence of DeVulcNR, the rubber-filler interaction is enhanced compared with that of the control formulations containing only SBR. SiO 2 @GO hybrid-filler shows synergistic effect on the mechanical properties of the composites in the presence of DeVulcNR. The improved mechanical properties of the SiO 2 @GO hybrid filler rubber composites may be due to chemical interaction among the functional groups of SiO 2 and GO with the DeVulcNR. Further, XRD study indicates that there is no significant layer-by-layer restack of GO in the SBR/DeVulcNR composites. The higher storage modulus and lower tan δ of the SiO 2 @GO hybrid filler rubber composites show superior interfacial interaction between rubber and filler compared with that of the control formulations. POLYM.

Overall performance of natural rubber/graphene nanocomposites

Composites Science and Technology, 2012

Natural rubber (NR) and functionalized graphene sheets (FGSs) nanocomposites were prepared by conventional two-roll mill mixing. The morphology and structure of the FGS was characterized confirming the successful exfoliation of the FGS. The strong rubber-to-filler interactions accelerate the cross-linking reaction, increase the electrical conductivity and cause an important enhancement on the mechanical behavior of the NR nanocomposites. The nanofiller does not affect the molecular dynamics of NR, while the presence of vulcanizing additives slowdowns the segmental motions and decreases slightly the time scale of the global chain dynamics in NR/FGS nanocomposites. These functional properties make NR/FGS nanocomposites a promising new class of advanced materials.

The role of reduced graphene oxide on chemical, mechanical and barrier properties of natural rubber composites

Composites Science and Technology, 2014

Natural rubber (NR)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites were produced via latex mixing and cocoagulation approach followed by static hot-press and twin roll mixing process. Due to the process, a fine control of filler dispersion was obtained and the composites exhibited a three-dimensional rGO network or alternatively a homogeneous dispersion of single rGO platelets. The effect of rGO dispersion on chemical crosslink structure, and their influence on mechanical and barrier properties was thoroughly investigated. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and solid-state 13 C NMR analysis showed that rGO platelets affect the vulcanization process of natural rubber and that the crosslinking sulphur polysulphidic species present in pristine natural rubber decrease with the rGO content. In fact, at rGO content higher than 6 phr, the crosslinking species consist mainly of monosulphidic species which attain a consequent increment of intrinsic crosslinking density. However, the composites with rGO segregated network exhibit both barrier to oxygen and water vapour permeation and mechanical properties improved with respect to pristine rubber and composites with the homogeneous dispersion of single rGO platelets. The results confirm that the morphology of filler has a prominent key role in determining the natural rubber composites properties.

A study of graphene oxide-reinforced rubber nanocomposite

Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2014

Graphene oxide (GO)-reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) nanocomposite are prepared via solution mixing. The morphology and structure of the GO was studied and its successful dispersion within the rubber matrix was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD).

Preparation of Reinforced Hydroxyl Terminated Liquid Epoxidized Natural Rubber Nanocomposite by Grafting of Graphene Oxide

Materials Today: Proceedings, 2019

In this research, liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) with active end group which known as hydroxyl terminated liquid epoxidized natural rubber (HTLENR) has been synthesized via oxidative degradation method in the presence of cobalt acetylacetonate (CAA) and sodium borohydride (NaBH 4). The conversion of LENR to HTLENR is vital to fully utilise the great properties of this liquid rubber and enable for further chemical modification. The molecular weight of the prepared HTLENR were confirmed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and weight average molecular weight (M W) of HTLENR revealed a slight decrease in comparison to M W of LENR at one hour reaction. Whilst the structure of LENR and HTLENR were studied using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and neutron magnetic resonance (NMR). Subsequently graphene oxide (GO) has been inserted onto HTLENR backbone via grafting method. The efficiency of grafting was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. HTLENR/GO nanocomposite prepared is important to be serve as a potential toughening agent which can be used in various applications such as aerospace, structural and automotive.

Optimizing the Thermomechanical and Thermal Performance of Epoxidized Natural Rubber Hybrid Nanocomposites Using Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes

Research Square (Research Square), 2024

Hybrid nanocomposites, comprising epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) filled with graphene (GP) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were prepared via the melt mixing technique. TEM imaging confirmed the development of three-dimensional filler networks, facilitated by the π-π interaction between sp 2-hybridized carbon atoms in graphene and carbon nanotubes, alongside Van der Waals forces. Moreover, a notable interaction between polar functional groups on the nanofiller surfaces and the ENR molecules emerged as a significant factor in enhancing properties. This was evidenced by the rise in bound rubber content with increasing CNT loading, amplifying reinforcing efficiency through the establishment of bridge links among rubber chains and filler networks. Temperature scanning stress relaxation (TSSR) Highlights • Three-dimensional filler networks were created in the ENR-25 matrix. • The π-π interaction between sp2-hybridized carbon atoms in GP and CNT along with the Van der Waals forces caused formation of filler networks. • Increasing bound rubber content, relaxation modulus, and crosslink density was found with increasing CNT loadings in the ENR-25/GP5-CNTx nanocomposites. • The glass transition temperature (Tg) increased with a reduction in the coefficient of reinforcement with increasing loadings of CNT, indicating an enhancement of the degree of reinforcement.

A New Approach of Fabricating Graphene Nanoplates@Natural Rubber Latex Composite and Its Characteristics and Mechanical Properties

C

Graphene has been demonstrated to be one of the most promising candidates to use as filler to improve the electrical, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties of natural rubber due to exceptional high surface area, superior electrical and thermal conductivity, and remarkable gas impermeability resistance. In this study, graphene nanoplates (GNPs) were mass-produced by a one-step chemical exfoliation of natural graphite and used as a filler for the fabrication of GNPs@natural rubber composite by a simple mixing method. The resultant GNPs/rubber composite was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a rheometer. The prepared graphene nanoplates had a thickness of less than 10 nm and a lateral size of tens of microns. The GNPs@rubber composite revealed an exceptional improvement of abrasion loss up to seven to ten fold, along with an approximately 400%, 200% and 30% increment of elongation at break, tear strength and tensile strength, respectively. Other mechan...

Recent advancements in rubber nanocomposites

2014

Nanocomposites were prepared via melt blending, based on organically modified clays (OC), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and graphitic nanofillers made by a few layers of graphene (nanoG). In particular, nanocomposites based on a hybrid filler system, with a nanostructured filler such as carbon black (CB), are examined. It is shown that low crystalline order in the interlayer space of a layered nanofiller (such as OC and nanoG) leads to easier delamination. Nanofillers give rise to filler networking at low concentration, particularly in the presence of CB. Hybrid filler systems lead to nanocomposites' having initial moduli that are much higher than those calculated through the sum of the initial modulus of composites containing either only CB or only the nanofiller. Nanofillers enhance the matrix modulus by a multiplication factor that depends only on the nanofiller type and content, regardless of whether the matrix is a neat or a CB-filled polymer. Furthermore, the fillerpolymer interfacial area is shown to be a parameter able to correlate the mechanical behavior of both nano-CNT and nanostructured (CB) fillers. By plotting values of the composite initial modulus versus the filler-polymer interfacial area, points due to CB, CNT, and the hybrid CB-CNT system lie on the same curve.