Novel in situ carbon nanofiber/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites: Synthesis, morphology, and physico‐mechanical properties

Abstract

A series of carbon nanofiber (CNF)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based nanocomposites was prepared by anionic ring opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D 4 ) in presence of pristine CNF and aminemodified CNF. A detailed study of morphology-property relationship of the nanocomposites was carried out in order to understand the effect of chemical modification and loading of filler on property enhancement of the nanocomposites. An elaborate comparison of structure and properties was carried out for the nanocomposites prepared by in situ and conventional ex situ methods. Pronounced improvement in degree of dispersion of the fillers in the matrix on amine modification of CNFs was reflected in mechanical properties of the modified nanocomposites. Maximum upliftment in mechanical properties was observed for in situ prepared amine modified CNF/hydroxyl PDMS nanocomposites. For 8 phr filler loading, tensile strength increased by 370%, while tensile modulus showed an increase of 515% compared with the virgin elastomer. Furthermore, in situ prepared unmodified CNF/hydroxyl PDMS nanocomposites showed an increase of 141 C in temperature of maximum degradation (T max ) for 8 phr CNF loading. These results were correlated with the morphological analysis through transmission electron microscopic studies.

Nanocarbon Reinforced Rubber Nanocomposites: Detailed Insights about Mechanical, Dynamical Mechanical Properties, Payne, and Mullin Effects

“…Despite several advantages, the vulcanized neat silicone rubbers usually have poor mechanical properties and low thermal/electrical conductivity restricting its use in many industrial applications. Therefore, silicon rubber filled with carbon based nanofillers have been reported [ 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 197 , 198 , 199 , 200 ]. Room temperature vulcanized (RTV) vulcanizates on adding 2 phr of CNTs increased the Young’s modulus by 272% and reached as high as ~706% at 8 phr [ 116 ].…”

Synthesis and characterization of fibrous nanosilica/polydimethylsiloxane composites

“…18,19 The dispersion degree parameter is expressed as: 18,19 The dispersion degree parameter is expressed as: …”

“…Quantification of the degree of dispersion was done using the dispersion parameter D 0.1 similar to our previous publications. 18,19 The dispersion degree parameter is expressed as:…”

“…In fact, enhanced adhesion at the polymer-filler interface is responsible for the improved fatigue resistance, toughness and tensile properties. A recent trend in the field of nanotechnology involves designing of hybrid nanomaterials out of PDMS using CNTs, [14][15][16][17] CNFs, 18,19 graphite, 20,21 or nanoclay [22][23][24] and several other unconventional nanofillers such as vanadate, 25 zirconium oxo species, 26 etc. When polymer is in the glassy state, nanofiber reinforcement is entirely reliant to the load transferring efficiency of nanofibers.…”

“…In addition, its excellent biocompatibility and self healing properties have opened a new avenue in biomedical applications such as artificial implants and prosthetics etc. A recent trend in the field of nanotechnology involves designing of hybrid nanomaterials out of PDMS using CNTs, [14][15][16][17] CNFs, 18,19 graphite, 20,21 or nanoclay [22][23][24] and several other unconventional nanofillers such as vanadate, 25 zirconium oxo species, 26 etc. Due to similarity in chemical linkages, silica has been extensively used in reinforcing silicone rubber.…”