Graphene nanoplatelet filled elastomer composites; influence of different matrices on the dispersion, electrical and mechanical properties

Abstract

This work aims to correlate the dispersion tendencies and the cause/effect relationships that are generated when a carbonaceous nanofiller is disseminated in three different elastomer matrices. We have incorporated graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) into three different elastomer matrices, namely polychloroprene rubber (CR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) at different concentrations. The composites were fabricated by a dual mixing technique, which facilitates dispersion and the formation of a network‐like structure. This method improves the electrical conductivity of the final composite by enhancing the electron mobility and also improves the mechanical properties. GnP particles are very well dispersed and show an optimum concentration of 5 phr in CR, 8 phr in HNBR, and 10 phr in EVA with respect to their mechanical properties. In addition, modeling of the electrical conductivity was performed for the EVA‐GnP composite within the delineations of the existing conductivity models for a better understanding of the mechanism of electrical conduction. The EVA‐GnP seems to be the best fit for a composite material possessing enhanced mechanical as well as electrical properties for various applications.

Conductive polyacrylate coatings filled with bimetal Cu–Ni, Zn–Cu, or Zn–Ni powders and graphene nanoplatelets

“…It is known that the mechanical properties of polymers are improved when GNPs are introduced into a polymer matrix as a filler in an amount sufficient to form a cross‐linked network. The effect is explained by chemical linkages, specifically H‐bonding, which may form between carboxyl groups in the polymer matrix and OH and NH 2 groups characteristic of the GNP surface 48 . There is also information about the interaction between zinc oxide and methacrylic acid in the hydrogenated nitrile rubber in situ resulting the formation of zinc methacrylate.…”

“…The effect is explained by chemical linkages, specifically H-bonding, which may form between carboxyl groups in the polymer matrix and OH and NH 2 groups characteristic of the GNP surface. 48 There is also information about the interaction between zinc oxide and methacrylic acid in the hydrogenated nitrile rubber in situ resulting the formation of zinc methacrylate. That provides a good reinforcing effect owing to the formation of covalent crosslinks and salt crosslinks.…”

Recent advances in structural design of conductive polymer composites for electromagnetic interference shielding

“…The homogeneous structure referred to the fact that the nanofillers were uniformly distributed in whole matrix 150,174 . The conductive networks constructed by the interconnected conductive nanofillers could endow the CPCs with EMI shielding properties 175 .…”

Enhanced sensing performance of flexible strain sensors prepared from biaxially stretched carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites

“…Commonly used conductive nanofillers, such as graphene nanoplatelets, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black, metal nanoparticles, and metal nanowires, can be effectively combined with polymer matrices with the desired mechanical properties to produce high performance sensors. [9,10] Commonly used materials for flexible sensors include thermoplastic polyurethane, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and natural rubber. For example, Wang [11] used electrochemical graphene as a sensing material and attached it to a polyester fabric substrate with a knitted structure.…”