Effect of graphene and multiwalled carbon nanotube additives on the properties of nano-reinforced rubber

Abstract

In this study, two types of polybutadiene rubber reinforced by graphene and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully prepared for tire manufacturing applications. The effect of non-materials addition on the thermal, structural, and mechanical properties of the rubber was investigated. The effect of adding graphene and MWCNTs at varying weight composition of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt% on the nanocomposite was investigated. The addition of the graphene and MWCNTs nanomaterials to the polybutadiene rubber significantly influenced its measured properties and specifications in comparison with the parent rubber. The SEM results showed a high dispersion for both graphene and MWCNTs in the rubber matrix. The mechanical properties of the nano-reinforced rubber showed a considerable increase with an increase in the loading of both nanomaterials. The study shows that the best nano-additive composition was 2 wt% for graphene and MWCNTs thereby resulting in the highest values of the tensile strength (12.5 and 10.8) MPa, hardness (52, 49), and compression strength (11.33, 10) MPa, respectively.