Functionalized graphene with polymer as unique strategy in tailoring the properties of bromobutyl rubber nanocomposites

Abstract

The reinforcement of polymers by graphene has generated great interest in recent years; however, very few investigations have been devoted to the reaction between graphene and elastomers. In the present work, a new “grafting to” approach for the formation of high-performance graphene/bromo butyl rubber (BIIR) nanocomposites was developed for tyre inner liner application by grafting of BIIR on simultaneously functionalized and reduced graphene oxide surface (BIIR-g-GO-PPD). This was then followed by their dispersion in BIIR matrix. For comparison, BIIR grafted graphene was also used. The properties of the functionalized graphene and their nanocomposites were thoroughly investigated. This promising pathway led to higher degree of exfoliation of BIIR-g-GO-PPD in the BIIR matrix as confirmed by the corresponding morphologies. Such exfoliation and stronger interaction resulted in remarkable enhancement in tensile strength (200%), storage modulus (189%), thermal stability (17 °C) and permittivity (460%) and drastic improvement in gas impermeability (44%) in their corresponding nanocomposites over neat BIIR. Therefore, functionalization and stitching of graphene followed by grafting with polymer offer high-performance BIIR/graphene nanocomposites as new tyre materials.