Graphene nanoplatelet filled elastomer composites; influence of different matrices on the dispersion, electrical and mechanical properties

Abstract

AbstractThis work aims to correlate the dispersion tendencies and the cause/effect relationships that are generated when a carbonaceous nanofiller is disseminated in three different elastomer matrices. We have incorporated graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) into three different elastomer matrices, namely polychloroprene rubber (CR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) at different concentrations. The composites were fabricated by a dual mixing technique, which facilitates dispersion and the formation of a network‐like structure. This method improves the electrical conductivity of the final composite by enhancing the electron mobility and also improves the mechanical properties. GnP particles are very well dispersed and show an optimum concentration of 5 phr in CR, 8 phr in HNBR, and 10 phr in EVA with respect to their mechanical properties. In addition, modeling of the electrical conductivity was performed for the EVA‐GnP composite within the delineations of the existing conductivity models for a better understanding of the mechanism of electrical conduction. The EVA‐GnP seems to be the best fit for a composite material possessing enhanced mechanical as well as electrical properties for various applications.