Abstract
The goal of this work was to study the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) modified with ionic liquid (IL) on properties of styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) composites. GnPs were decorated with IL or were modified in bulk directly during rubber mix preparation. The ionic liquid used was 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BMPFB). The textural properties were studied to confirm surface modification of GnPs with BMPFB. In these investigations, the impact of the concentration of GnPs and the effect of the method of GnPs’ modification with IL on elastomers properties are described. Some thermal measurements (e.g., differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry) were conducted to characterize the thermal stability or the vulcanization process of the investigated samples. Complementary experimental techniques were used to investigate the properties of the obtained elastomers, specifically tensile testing, and electrical and barrier property measurements. The deposition of IL on the GnPs’ surface positively influenced the mechanical and barrier properties of elastomers. However, samples containing graphene nanoplatelets modified from solution were characterized by less electrical conductivity. SEM analysis was additionally performed to investigate GnPs’ dispersion within SBR composites.
Highlights
IntroductionStyrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) is one of the most widely used polymers in the rubber industry
Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) is one of the most widely used polymers in the rubber industry.The processing of polymer materials and possible application of composites, and of styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), are significantly dependent of fillers dispersed in the polymer matrix
Taking into account that the measurement error of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) decorated with butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BMPFB) led to a slight increase in the thermal stability of composites in the range of 249–257 ◦ C, GnPs with surfaces that were modified with ionic liquid were a physical barrier to the SBR matrix that delayed oxygen permeation and the escape of volatile degradation products [17]
Summary
Styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) is one of the most widely used polymers in the rubber industry. It has been proposed to use ultrasonic homogenization leading to the destruction of interactions between filler particles, responsible for their aggregation [14,15] Another solution was the use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which due to synergistic effect had a positive effect on graphene dispersion in polymer [16,17]. Ionic liquids (ILs) are eco-friendly organic salts that are successfully used in many fields of polymer chemistry and technology [33] All of this is due to their exceptional properties, e.g., extremely low vapour pressure, usually thermal stability [34]. It is expected that these investigations can broaden knowledge about polymer processing and the application of ionic liquids in the preparation of multifunctional polymer composites
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