Effects of graphene on the curing characteristic, morphology, rheology and mechanical ‎properties of natural rubber (NR), chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) and NR/CIIR blend

Subject Areas :

Marziye Sharifi-Teshnizi ¹ , َAzam Jalali-Arani ² , Marianella Hernández Santana ³

1 - Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic),
2 -
3 - Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (ICTP), CSIC

Received: 2024-10-27 Accepted : 2024-11-27 Published : 2024-12-10

Keywords: Rubber, Nanocomposite, Graphene, Rheological properties, Mechanical properties.‎,

Abstract :

Nanocomposites of natural rubber (NR), chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) and their blend (NR/CIIR; 50/50), containing 0.7 phr of graphene were prepared by melt mixing method. The use of graphene caused an increase in torque difference in the rheometric test, which was attributed to an increase in the crosslink density. This result was confirmed by the swelling test. The microstructure of nanocomposites and dispersion of graphene in each of the samples were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). FESEM images indicated uniform dispersion and distribution of graphene nanolayers in the elastomer matrices. The melt rheological behavior demonstrated that the addition of graphene to the compounds increased the viscosity of the complex and storage modulus at the low frequency which indicated uniform dispersion and enhanced interaction between the nanolayers of graphene and the rubber matrix. Mechanical properties of the samples were investigated by tensile test. The obtained results revealed the improvement of mechanical properties of nanocomposites. The young modulus of NR, CIIR and NR/CIIR blend, in the presence of 0.7 phr graphene were improved about 42, 40 and 16%, respectively.

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