Utilizing the Characteristics of Graphene Nano-Platelets to Improve the Cross-Linking Density of a Rubber Nano-Composite

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) / Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) nanocomposites were prepared by solutions mixing method and vulcanized effectively. GNP suspension dispersed homogenously in a well-suited solution of NBR up to 2.4 phr and characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The influence of GNP on the cross-linking of GNP/ NBR nanocomposites structure has been characterized and studied by the cure characteristics and swelling tests. The results showed that the crosslinking density was enhanced to 42.3% compared to that of unfilled NBR by reducing the swelling ratio to 19.7% at 1.2 phr of the GNP. Thus, the mechanical properties were investigated and revealed that the modulus at 100% elongation (M100) improved to about 155% and the hardness to about 13%. Those results were verified via the morphology analyzing using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the enhancement of the storage modulus as a function of temperature in the rubber nanocomposite to about 100% utilizing Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) at the same content 1.2 phr of GNP.