Composite properties of graphene-based materials/natural rubber vulcanized using electron beam irradiation

Abstract

An electron beam (EB) irradiation technique was used to vulcanize graphene-based nanomaterials/natural rubber nanocomposites for the first time as a greener production technology. In this work, nanofillers of reduced graphene oxide (rGOm), graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP), and graphite were mixed in natural rubber matrix to study their properties and determine the condition to produce good properties of graphene based composites. The rGOm was synthesized using chemical reduction assisted by microwave radiation. In the composite fabrication, these nanomaterials were mixed using the latex mixing method with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a surfactant. After the latex composite had been prepared, an EB was used to vulcanize the composite both in latex and film forms. TEM and SEM observation indicated that good dispersion of nanofillers in the natural rubber latex matrix was obtained. The addition of rGOm, xGnP, and graphite into the rubber nanocomposites enhanced the electrical and mechanical properties depending on the amount of fillers and the EB irradiation dosage. Among all fillers in natural rubber composites vulcanized using an EB, the addition of rGOm in latex form had the highest tensile strength and lowest electrical resistivity. The product can be applied for advance conductive rubber composites.