Evaluation of solvent transport and cure characteristics of chlorobutyl rubber graphene oxide nanocomposites

Abstract

Chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) is a significant type of synthetic rubber with interesting properties and thereby finds applications in numerous filed. Insertion of nanofillers like organo clay, carbon nanotubes, graphene etc. into CIIR matrix reduces the permeability which is useful for the synthesis of membranes with less solvent and gas permeation. In this work, introduction of graphene oxide (GO) improved the cure characteristics of CIIR matrix. Bound rubber content also improved with increasing filler concentration. Moreover, a reduction in mol percentage of uptake was observed with increase in temperature. This study clearly shows the ability of GO in CIIR matrix to prevent the solvent transport through the polymer, which opens its application in chemical protective clothing.