New evidence disclosed for the engineered strong interfacial interaction of graphene/rubber nanocomposites

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) 2017-06, Vol.118, p.30-39
• Main Authors: Xie, Zheng-Tian, Fu, Xuan, Wei, Lai-Yun, Luo, Ming-Chao, Liu, Yu-Hang, Ling, Fang-Wei, Huang, Cheng, Huang, Guangsu, Wu, Jinrong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chain dynamics; Deformation; Enhancement; Graphene; Interfacial interaction; Isoprene; Isoprene rubber; Load transfer; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Polymers; Rubber; Solution blending; Tensile deformation
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.04.056

Interfacial interaction is of crucial importance for polymer nanocomposites. To improve interfacial interaction between graphene (GE) and isoprene rubber (IR), we grafted a silane coupling reagent, (bis-[γ-(triethoxysilyl) propyl]-etrasulfide), onto graphene oxide (GO). The modified GO was mixed with IR by solution blending and then reduced in situ to prepare IR/surface modified GE nanocomposites (IR/SGE). Raman mapping illustrates that the bound rubber on SGE is much thicker than that on unmodified GE, suggesting a strong interfacial interaction between SGE and IR. As a result, IR/SGE shows slower chain dynamics and lower strain-induced crystallinity than IR/GE. However, on-line Raman measurements show that the G band of IR/SGE shifts more noticeably during uniaxial tensile deformation than that of IR/GE; this suggests more efficient load transfer between SGE and IR. Consequently IR/SGE has better mechanical properties than IR/GE. [Display omitted] •Interfacial interaction of IR/SGE composite was significantly enhanced by modifying GE with BTESPT.•The thicker bound rubber of IR/SGE composite was observed by Raman mapping.•IR/SGE shows slower chain dynamics and strain-induced crystallization rate than IR/GE.•More efficient load transfer leads to superior mechanical properties of IR/SGE composite.