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Synthesis and characterization of natural rubber/graphene quantum dot nanocomposites

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Abstract

The natural rubber/graphene quantum dots (GQDs) nanocomposites were prepared and their properties have been studied. Graphene oxide prepared via modified Hummer’s method was the precursor used to synthesis graphene quantum dots. The two-roll mill was used for the compounding of the natural rubber/graphene quantum dot (NR/GQD) nanocomposites. The nanocomposites are characterized using UV–visible Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The mechanical and diffusion properties of the natural rubber/graphene quantum dot (GQDs) nanocomposites were also investigated. The TEM analysis revealed that GQD has tiny spherical shaped morphology with an average size value of 5 nm. The FTIR and XRD studies clearly showed the strong interaction between GQDs and NR and the peak at 8.490 in the diffractogram of nanocomposites indicates the uniform distribution of GQDs in matrix of NR. The incorporation of 1phr of GQD shows a 30%, 13% and 23% of enhancement in respective tensile strength, elongation at break and young’s modulus of the NR/GQD nanocomposite compared to that of pure natural rubber. The study found that the incorporation of GQDs into the natural rubber matrix dramatically increased the mechanical and thermal properties of the of NR. The nanocomposite with 1.5 phr of GQD showed higher thermal stability and is ascribed to the uniform dispersion and interaction of GQD in the NR matrix. The GQD will act as a protective barrier and thus it arrests the thermal decomposition by absorbing the heat that liberated in the matrix.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Koovappally, P. O., Kanjirappally, Kottayam, Kerala, India, 686518

    Josny Joy Edayadiyil, Sreelakshmi Rajeevan & Soney C George

  2. Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, India, 680009

    Jiji Abraham

  3. APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, CET Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695016, India

    Sreelakshmi Rajeevan

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  1. Josny Joy Edayadiyil
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  2. Jiji Abraham
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  3. Sreelakshmi Rajeevan
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  4. Soney C George
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Correspondence to Soney C George.

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Edayadiyil, J.J., Abraham, J., Rajeevan, S. et al. Synthesis and characterization of natural rubber/graphene quantum dot nanocomposites. J Polym Res 28, 358 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-021-02713-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-021-02713-9

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