In-situ constructing hybrid cross-linked networks in brominated butyl rubber via amphiphilic graphene oxide cross-linkers: Retaining excellent gas barrier and mechanical properties after fatigue

Abstract

Rubber/graphene nanocomposites as gas barrier materials have attracted great interest in recent years. However, it is still a challenge to construct strong covalent interfaces between nonpolar rubber matrix and graphene for retaining excellent gas barrier and mechanical properties of aircraft tires after fatigue. In this work, hybrid cross-linked networks in brominated butyl rubber (BIIR) are first proposed and in-situ constructed successfully via introducing the amphiphilic graphene oxide cross-linkers (R-aGO). R-aGO can participate in the curing of BIIR to form hybrid cross-linked networks, which can force R-aGO to move with BIIR synchronously during fatigue deformation due to strong interfaces between BIIR and R-aGO via covalent bonds. When R-aGO content is 3 phr, the BIIR/R-aGO nanocomposites show a 27 % improvement in gas barrier property, a 230 % increase in strength at 40 % strain (suffered deformation of aircraft tires), and a 229 % enhancement in tensile strength relative to conventional BIIR/aGO nanocomposites with interfacial modifiers. More importantly, BIIR/R-aGO nanocomposites still retain excellent gas barrier and mechanical properties even after 500,000 load cycles (40 % strain). This work provides a novel route to fabricate rubber/graphene nanocomposites with superior gas barrier and mechanical properties, especially after fatigue.