Abstracto

Carbon Nanotube-thermally Reduced Graphene Hybrid/Styrene Butadiene Rubber Nano Composites: Mechanical, Morphological and Dielectric Studies

Jiji Abraham, Maya MG, Soney C George, Nandakumar Kalarikkal and Sabu Thomas

Styrene Butadiene Rubber composites with mixture of carbon nanotube and thermally reduced graphene were prepared and morphological, mechanical and dielectric properties of the composites were studied. Aim of this study is to understand the dispersion and reinforcement behaviour of hybrid filler in rubber matrix. Improved mechanical properties in the presence of graphene are due to the good dispersion and improved compatibility with the matrix. The formation of a mixed filler network showed a synergistic effect on the improvement of electrical as well as various mechanical properties. This method provides a simple route to enhance the dispersion of carbon nanotubes and to improve the electrical property of the polymer composites. It is concluded that introduction of thermally reduced graphene to CNT-SBR composites can improve the mechanical properties of the composites up to an optimum concentration of the graphene after that performance will be diminished due to the agglomeration of graphene.