Impact of ionic liquids on the processing and photo-actuation behavior of SBR composites containing graphene nanoplatelets

Magdalena Gaca,Marketa Ilcikova,Miroslav Mrlik,Martin Cvek,Cyril Vaulot,Pavel Urbanek,Robert Pietrasik,Igor Krupa,Joanna Pietrasik

doi:10.1016/j.snb.2020.129195

Abstract

The effects of butylpyridinium bromide-based ionic liquids (ILs) on the vulcanization kinetics, mechanical properties and photo-actuation ability of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) composites filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) were investigated. Two different ILs, 1-butylpyridinium bromide (BBP) and 4-methyl-1-butylpyridinium bromide (BMBP), were introduced into rubber compounds. The methodology of IL incorporation into the rubber compounds was studied as well. The ILs were added either directly as a single component or after immobilization onto the GnPs surface. High values of the modulus and tensile strength, which are important mechanical properties, were observed for the composites filled with immobilized BMBP. Freely dispersed BBP resulted in composites with the fastest scorch time, highest thermal and electrical conductivity, and best photo-actuation response of 0.230 mm.

Highlights

Polymer nanocomposite-based photo-actuators are a class of smart materials that are able to change their shape reversibly upon external light stimulation [1,2,3]
The graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) modified with both ILs – 1butylpyridinium bromide (BBP) exhibited a small peak at 2995 cm–1 corresponding to NH– stretching from an amine salt, a sharp peak at 1480 cm− 1 can be attributed to the pyridine ring and the peak at approximately 1197 cm–1 attributed to CN– bond stretching
Hydrogen bonding interactions occur between the bromide anion and the hydroxyl groups on the GnPs surface, similar to what has been described in the literature [22]

Summary

Introduction

Polymer nanocomposite-based photo-actuators are a class of smart materials that are able to change their shape reversibly upon external light stimulation [1,2,3]. Elastomers, when used in these applications, are usually formed by mixing an elastomeric polymer matrix and a filler The fillers in these materials should provide good mechanical properties and a high absorption of light and facilitate heat transport in the nanocomposites. A plate-like character of the filler shape has been found to be most beneficial for the actuation response, as well as the dispersion and distribution of the filler particles within the polymer matrix [13,14]. Both thermoplastic elastomers and crosslinked polymer matrices have been extensively studied [15,16,17].

Methods

Results

Conclusion