Work

Silicone rubber nanocomposites: Optimal graphene dosing for mechanical and electrical enhancements

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The combination of lightweight, durable, and flexible elastomer nanocomposites presents a unique set of features that make them highly promising for a range of several engineering applications . Present work investigates the performance of the mechanical and electrical characteristics of a nanocomposite produced by combining silicon rubber (SR) with nano-Graphene, copper oxide (CuO). Two roll mixing followed by compression moulding is used to manufacture different configurations of Graphene/CuO/SR nano composite. Nano composites specimens are fabricated with 1, 2, 4, and 8 wt % of graphene with fixed 1 % CuO. There has been a discernible improvement of 146.52 % in the mechanical properties and 18.1 % in electrical performance. This improvement is supported by the FESEM morphological analysis of fractured surfaces. It has been observed that the optimized loading of 8 wt % of Graphene gives the best performance. The strong interfacial interaction between the Graphene/CuO and SR is responsible for the performance gain.

Source: Journal of Materials Research and Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.10.206