Chapter Two - Fabrication Methods of Carbon-Based Rubber Nanocomposites

Abstract

The incorporation of carbon nanofillers in elastomer matrices has been intensively studied in recent years because it enables obtaining materials with tailor-made properties. However, in order to achieve this nanoscale level of modification, a specific morphology of the nanocomposites should be achieved (mainly homogeneous dispersion of the carbon nanofiller particles throughout the matrix). Here, the fabrication method has a crucial role. In this chapter, an overview of the most commonly used fabrication methods of carbon-based rubber nanocomposites is presented for the different carbon-based nanofillers (carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerene, nanodiamonds, nanofibers). For each method and type of nanofiller, some common preparation procedures and also some novel approaches are described in detail. At the end of the chapter, some different, not that commonly used, methods of preparation are presented and finally, a conclusion is made on the perspectives of the used fabrication methods regarding their upscale on an industrial level.