Abstract
In this paper, we report a cost-effective and scalable approach to produce highly homogeneous graphene and CNT-based silicone composites with potential applications in diverse fields of research, including biosensors and wearable electronics. This approach includes the fabrication of hybrid fillers based on few-layer graphene and CNTs by water solution blending and manufacturing of graphene/CNT/PDMS composites through calendering in a three-roll mill. The influence of processing parameters, the graphene/CNT ratio, and hybrid filler loading was thoroughly investigated, and the optimal parameters for producing hybrid composites with superior electrical and mechanical properties were found. It was also confirmed that the graphene/CNT hybrid system exhibits a synergistic effect of non-covalent interactions between graphene sheets and CNT sidewalls. This synergistic effect prevents the aggregation of graphene sheets, facilitates the dispersion of graphene and CNTs in the silicone matrix, and contributes to the superior properties of hybrid composites compared to composites with either of these fillers alone.
Highlights
IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
In the framework of this paper, we investigated the influence of the processing parameters and components ratio upon the mechanical, electrical, and morphological properties of silicone composites based on G/CNT hybrid fillers
Pictures of silicone composites with G/CNT (8:2, w/w) fillers indicate a high uniformity of composite surfaces (Figure 2c), which is due to the even distribution of G/CNT fillers in the silicone matrix
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. A significant enhancement in tensile strength, Young’s modulus, thermal stability, and solvent resistance has been shown Another group of researchers (Oh et al [18]) studied the hybrid silicone composites with small fractions of CNTs and thermally reduced graphene (TRG) for potential applications in flexible and stretchable electronics. The discussed studies have demonstrated that the synergistic effect of CNT and graphene interactions facilitates their dispersion in the silicone matrix and contributes to superior properties of hybrid composites compared to composites with either of these fillers alone. The experimental results are compared to those of composites based on either CNTs or graphene alone, and a synergistic effect of G/CNT hybrid fillers on properties of silicone composites is discussed
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