Study the synergistic effect of fumed silica and reduced graphene oxide insertion on the thermal, mechanical, tribological, and solvent transport properties of silicone rubber nanocomposites

Abstract

This study explored the effects of hybrid nanofillers such as fumed silica (FSiO 2 ) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on the mechanical, thermal, solvent transport, and tribological properties of silicone rubber nanocomposite (QMSirGO). A pin-on-disc test system was used to investigate the friction and wear properties of QMSirGO nanocomposites, which were significantly influenced by the applied load, temperature, and rGO concentration. Study shows that better graphene oxide dispersion in the matrix paved the way for improved tensile and dynamic mechanical properties and lowered the coefficient of friction and specific wear rate (Ws) values. Compared to silicone rubber (QM), the friction coefficient of the QMSirGO1.5 composite was reduced by around 40%. The mechanism involves the formation of a lubricant layer, which smooths the material surface that comes into contact with the metal surface. In the solvent transport study, we investigated the effect of solvents' structure, molecular size, filler concentration, and the transport mechanism of composites, and the extent of reinforcement was evaluated using Kraus equations. K E Y W O R D Sfriction, mechanical properties, thermal properties, wear and lubrication | INTRODUCTIONSilicone rubber (QM) has distinctive qualities originating from its unique molecular structure. 1 It has been widely employed to substitute petrochemical goods in various companies, including aerospace, automobiles, construction, electronics, medical, and food processing. The unique hydrogen bonding interactions among silica surfaces, silanol groups, and the polydimethylsiloxane chain significantly impact this interaction coefficient. [2][3][4][5][6] Graphene is a two-dimensional substance with outstanding electron transport, mechanical properties, and a large surface area that has attracted scientific attention. 5 Graphene has also been considered a strategic candidate to strengthen polymeric materials for a wide variety of uses such as structures, automotive, filtration, packaging, electronics, aerospace, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and so on. [6][7][8][9][10] Stacked graphene materials have piqued researchers due to their anti-friction, anti-wear, and good self-lubricating qualities. In earlier research, we

Graphene-Based Hybrid Fillers for Rubber Composites

“…This makes rubber composites more suitable for the requirements of green production. Therefore, graphene (graphene derivatives)/silica hybrid filler-reinforced rubber has been widely studied in recent years [ 58 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”

Graphene in rubber formulations: a comprehensive review and performance optimization insights

“…The tensile strength, tear strength, and hardness are improved by 10%, 35%, and 21% respectively with the presence of 3 phr fume silica and 0.5–2.5 phr GO in silicone rubber. 136…”

“…The tensile strength, tear strength, and hardness are improved by 10%, 35%, and 21% respectively with the presence of 3 phr fume silica and 0.5-2.5 phr GO in silicone rubber. 136 Molybdenum disulfide is an inorganic material that is compatible with graphene. The molybdenum disulfide/ graphene filler combination is achieved by surface assembly followed by reduction by microwave irradiation at 700 W for 1 minute.…”

“…11,78,81,85,144 Due to the introduction of sulfur and an accelerator which are toxic in the rubber product causing allergies to users, the market is gradually shifting in the direction of producing accelerator/ Fig. 3 The tensile strength of the rubber nanocomposite before and after integration of the carbon nanotube, 55,70,120 metal, 85,125,126 nanocellulose, 21 nanocrystal, 22,134 and other materials [135][136][137] as hybrid fillers with graphene.…”