One-step approach to reduce and modify graphene oxide via vulcanization accelerator and its application for elastomer reinforcement

Abstract

An efficient and rapid one-step approach to prepare organically modified graphene from graphene oxide (GO) by using nontoxic rubber vulcanization accelerator N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (CZ) as reducing and modifying agent was presented. CZ was highly effective in reducing graphene oxide in a short time (1h) under a mild condition (70°C). Meanwhile, the reduced graphene decorated with 20wt% CZ molecules exhibited a good solubility in organic solvents, which significantly reduced the irreversible graphene agglomerates and improve the compatibility between graphene and elastomer. Consequently, elastomer composites with CZ reduced and modified GO possessed a combination of high tensile strength and large extensibility, showing 82% and 21% increases respectively, in comparison with elastomer composites with hydrazine hydrate reduced GO containing equivalent filler and CZ content. One-step reaction, short reaction time, mild reaction conditions and high-efficiency make the approach of using rubber additives a promising strategy for the eco-friendly production of graphene and may uncover an extensive family of building blocks for constructing high performance elastomer/graphene composites.