Mechanical and Thermal Performances of Rubber/Graphite Derivatives: Facile Synthesis, Characterization, and Formulation

A larger scale production of Graphene Oxide (GO), Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), and reduced GO decorated with SiO2 (rGO@SiO2) as graphite-derivatives are reported. The pristine graphite (Gt), synthesized rGO, and rGO@SiO2 were dispersed in dioctyl phthalate (DOP) assisted using the sonication technique. Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR)-based elastomer was first formulated and the homogenized samples are loaded into the SBR polymer matrix using a Bunbury-type kneader. Common industrial-grade materials were used to synthesize additives and compound formulations, and loading the additives into the polymer was mechanically performed. From an economic point of view, it means this product could be easily commercialized. Fourier-Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy spectrum index bands of prepared GO and rGO@SiO2 appeared at about 1725 and 1064 cm-1, respectively. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) was used to study the crystal structure of the synthesized materials. The surface morphology of the synthesized materials and separation of pristine graphite compressed layers were verified with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images. Mechanical tests of the compounded products showed good tensile stress, and virtually two folds greater than blank rubber. Thermogravimetric analyses investigation showed that a clear improvement of thermal stability of composites increased with adding the synthesized carbon-based additives. The prepared rGO/SBR and rGO@SiO2/SBR composites exhibited higher oxidative-induction times (13.84 and 9.39 min, respectively) compared with the blank SBR compound.