Plasma-modified graphene nanoplatelets and multiwalled carbon nanotubes as fillers for advanced rubber composites

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2015-07, Vol.87 (1), p.12012
• Main Authors: Sicinski, M, Gozdek, T, Bielinski, D M, Szymanowski, H, Kleczewska, J, Piatkowska, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Fillers; Free energy; Graphene; Low temperature; Mechanical properties; Morphology; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Rubber
• ISSN: 1757-8981; 1757-899X; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/87/1/012012

In modern rubber industry, there still is a room for new fillers, which can improve the mechanical properties of the composites, or introduce a new function to the material. Modern fillers like carbon nanotubes or graphene nanoplatelets (GnP), are increasingly applied in advanced polymer composites technology. However, it might be hard to obtain a well dispersed system for such systems. The polymer matrix often exhibits higher surface free energy (SFE) level with the filler, which can cause problems with polymer-filler interphase adhesion. Filler particles are not wet properly by the polymer, and thus are easier to agglomerate. As a consequence, improvement in the mechanical properties is lower than expected. In this work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and GnP surface were modified with low-temperature plasma. Attempts were made to graft some functionalizing species on plasma-activated filler surface. The analysis of virgin and modified fillers' SFE was carried out. MWCNT and GnP rubber composites were produced, and ultimately, their morphology and mechanical properties were studied.