Properties of hydrophobically-modified graphene oxide (HG)/butyl rubber (IIR) nanocomposites prepared by shear mixing process

Abstract

Butyl rubber (IIR)/hydrophobically modified graphene oxide (GO) (HG) nanocomposites were prepared via shear-induced compounding. Hydrophilic GO was synthesized through the chemical oxidation of graphite (GP) and modified hydrophobically by octadecylamine which has a hydrophobic long alkyl chain. The obtained HG was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns. It was well dispersed in toluene for more than 30 days under stationary condition. The IIR/HG nanocomposites were prepared by the shear mixing process and followed by thermal vulcanization process through compression molding. Their properties were studied using oscillating disk rheometer, universal testing machine, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, WAXD patterns, and scanning electron microscope analysis. The hydrophobic HG was dispersed at the nanoscale within IIR matrix, and the resulting nanocomposites had significantly reduced curing time. The overall tensile properties were enhanced.