Comparison between mechanical properties of SBR/ rGOnanocomposites prepared by Pickering micro emulsion andmelt compounding

The properties of polymer nanocomposites extensively depend on the extent of nanoparticles dispersion, which is affected by the processing method and parameters. In this work melt mixing process in comparison to Pickering micro emulsion method is employed to prepare styrene butadiene rubber/reduced graphene oxide (SBR/ rGO) nanocomposite. In the melt mixing process, rGO powder wasinitially prepared by radiation drying of the suspension of GO. Then the prepared powder was mixed with the SBR in an internal mixer to prepare a master batch of SBR and rGO. In addition to this, another master batch of SBR and rGO was prepared by the Pickering micro emulsion method. The curing materials were added to the prepared master batches on a two roll mill and the compounds werevulcanized in a hot press. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) displayed better dispersion of the rGO in the sample prepared by the Pickering micro emulsion method. Measuring tensile properties of the samples displayed considerable improvement of tensile strength as well as significant increase in the elongation of the SBR nanocomposite prepared by Pickering micro emulsion method in comparison to the melt compounded sample.

Keywords:

SBR , rGO , nanocomposite , Pickering micro emulsion , melt compounding