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Optimizing the thermomechanical and thermal performance of epoxidized natural rubber hybrid nanocomposites using graphene and carbon nanotubes

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Abstract

Hybrid nanocomposites, comprising epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) filled with graphene (GP) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were prepared via the melt mixing technique. TEM imaging confirmed the development of three-dimensional filler networks, facilitated by the π-π interaction between sp2-hybridized carbon atoms in graphene and carbon nanotubes, alongside Van der Waals forces. Moreover, a notable interaction between polar functional groups on the nanofiller surfaces and the ENR molecules emerged as a significant factor in enhancing properties. This was evidenced by the rise in bound rubber content with increasing CNT loading, amplifying reinforcing efficiency through the establishment of bridge links among rubber chains and filler networks. Temperature scanning stress relaxation (TSSR) results unveiled escalating relaxation forces, moduli, and crosslink density upon nanofiller incorporation and with increasing CNT loading. DMA results indicate elevated storage modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg), coupled with reduced coefficient of reinforcement (C-factor), indicative of an increased degree of reinforcement.

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The data that support the findings of this study are avail-able from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

We gratefully acknowledge the support of financial by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (Grant No. NRCT-RGJ63019-159). Furthermore, Faculty of Science and Industrial Technology, Prince of Songkla University Surat Thani campus and University of Applied Science, Osnabrück, Germany are highly acknowledged for access to facilities and equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rubber Technology, Faculty of Science and Industrial Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus, Surat Thani, Thailand

    Thananya Siriwas, Skulrat Pichaiyut & Charoen Nakason

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany

    Markus Susoff & Svea Petersen

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  1. Thananya Siriwas
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  2. Skulrat Pichaiyut
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Highlights

• Three-dimensional filler networks were created in the ENR-25 matrix.

• The π-π interaction between sp2-hybridized carbon atoms in GP and CNT along with the Van der Waals forces caused formation of filler networks.

• Increasing bound rubber content, relaxation modulus, and crosslink density was found with increasing CNT loadings in the ENR-25/GP5-CNTx nanocomposites.

• The glass transition temperature (Tg) increased with a reduction in the coefficient of reinforcement with increasing loadings of CNT, indicating an enhancement of the degree of reinforcement.

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Siriwas, T., Pichaiyut, S., Susoff, M. et al. Optimizing the thermomechanical and thermal performance of epoxidized natural rubber hybrid nanocomposites using graphene and carbon nanotubes. J Polym Res 31, 118 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-024-03962-0

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