Graphene-Based Hybrid Fillers for Rubber Composites

Abstract

Graphene and its derivatives have been confirmed to be among the best fillers for rubber due to their excellent properties, such as high mechanical strength, improved interface interaction, and strain-induced crystallization capabilities. Graphene rubber materials can be widely used in tires, shoes, high-barrier conductive seals, electromagnetic shielding seals, shock absorbers, etc. In order to reduce the graphene loading and endow more desirable functions to rubber materials, graphene-based hybrid fillers are extensively employed, which can effectively enhance the performance of rubber composites. This review briefly summarizes the recent research on rubber composites with graphene-based hybrid fillers consisting of carbon black, silica, carbon nanotubes, metal oxide, and one-dimensional nanowires. The preparation methods, performance improvements, and applications of different graphene-based hybrid fillers/rubber composites have been investigated. This study also focuses on methods that can ensure the effectiveness of graphene hybrid fillers in reinforcing rubber composites. Furthermore, the enhanced mechanism of graphene- and graphene derivative-based hybrid fillers in rubber composites is investigated to provide a foundation for future studies.

Unveiling the Influential Factors and Heavy Industrial Applications of Graphene Hybrid Polymer Composites

“…The results suggest that the compatibility of TRG with a polymer increases as the polymer's total solubility parameter (dT) value approaches 24.0 (MPa) 1/2 . Several other studies [4,51] have also reported using hybrid fillers, such as graphene/carbon nanotubes or graphene/ceramic composites, to achieve synergistic improvements in the polymer composites' thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. The compatibility between the filler and the polymer matrix components plays a crucial role in determining the overall performance of these hybrid systems.…”

“…Due to its high tensile strength (≈1 TPa) [1], intrinsic mobility of charge carriers (≈200,000 cm 2 V −1 s −1 ) [2], and intrinsic thermal conductivity (≈5000 W m −1 K −1 at room temperature) [3], graphene is ideal for producing polymer composites with substantial increase in strength, conductivity, and thermal stability. Moreover, the presence of graphene with multi-fillers, e.g., carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nano-clays, metal oxides, carbon black, silica, and one-dimensional nanowires plays a critical role in producing polymer composites with diverse properties [4]. The introduction of graphene with these fillers results in complex systems with synergistic effects [5] to produce hybrid, ternary, and quadra polymer composites, which open avenues for advanced applications in heavy industries [6].…”

Silicone Nanocomposites with Enhanced Thermal Resistance: A Review

“…This generates a significant adsorption effect between graphene and polyphenylsiloxane, reducing the exposure of the polysiloxane chain ends. As a consequence, the formation of an intramolecular cyclic transition state is difficult, which increases the thermal stability of silicone rubber composites [54,55].…”

Partial Replacement of Carbon Black with Graphene in Tire Compounds: Transport Properties, Thermal Stability and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

“…Graphene is highly conductive compared to carbon black, which means that it can reach percolation at lower concentrations, thereby being beneficial for applications requiring static charge dissipation and temperature management [13,14]. Due to its having much stronger mechanical properties, graphene can impart improved mechanical properties to the rubber formulation, especially regarding tensile strength and tear strength [15,16]. The flexibility of rubber formulations with graphene is higher than in those with carbon black [17][18][19].…”

“…For tires, temperature control is crucial and the thermal conductivity of graphene is advantageous for thermal management and the safer use of vehicles [22][23][24]. These advantages have encouraged many researchers to partially replace carbon black with graphene and study the technological and performance-related properties of these rubber formulations recently [9,16,[25][26][27][28]. While graphene does present the advantages mentioned above, it is also important to note that it is currently more expensive than carbon black, especially in dissipative applications [29].…”