Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber Compounds
In this work, we evaluated the processing and reinforcement characteristics of both carbon black (CB) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) within a nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix. The aspect ratio of the GNPs was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related to the dispersion and aggl...
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-03-01
|
Series: | Polymers |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/6/1204 |
_version_ | 1797443249703485440 |
---|---|
author | James R. Innes Robert J. Young Dimitrios G. Papageorgiou |
author_facet | James R. Innes Robert J. Young Dimitrios G. Papageorgiou |
author_sort | James R. Innes |
collection | DOAJ |
description | In this work, we evaluated the processing and reinforcement characteristics of both carbon black (CB) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) within a nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix. The aspect ratio of the GNPs was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related to the dispersion and agglomeration within the NBR matrix, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The relationship between GNP aspect ratio and mechanical properties was studied by micromechanical modelling. The tensile and tear properties of NBR after compounding with GNPs were enhanced to a greater extent compared to carbon black, while curing times were smaller and scorch times longer, indicating some of the advantages of using GNPs. Overall, the inherent properties of GNPs along with their geometry led to the production of better-performing rubber compounds that can replace their CB-filled counterparts in applications where flexibility, tear strength and compliance are important. The influence of processing on dispersion, orientation and agglomeration of flakes was also highlighted with respect to the Young’s modulus of the NBR compounds. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:53:14Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-c04cf6880d8b410aa7266899ec70e160 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2073-4360 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:53:14Z |
publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Polymers |
spelling | doaj.art-c04cf6880d8b410aa7266899ec70e1602023-11-30T22:03:59ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-03-01146120410.3390/polym14061204Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber CompoundsJames R. Innes0Robert J. Young1Dimitrios G. Papageorgiou2Polymer IRC, Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, Bradford BD7 1DP, UKNational Graphene Institute, Henry Royce Institute and Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UKNational Graphene Institute, Henry Royce Institute and Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UKIn this work, we evaluated the processing and reinforcement characteristics of both carbon black (CB) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) within a nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix. The aspect ratio of the GNPs was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related to the dispersion and agglomeration within the NBR matrix, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The relationship between GNP aspect ratio and mechanical properties was studied by micromechanical modelling. The tensile and tear properties of NBR after compounding with GNPs were enhanced to a greater extent compared to carbon black, while curing times were smaller and scorch times longer, indicating some of the advantages of using GNPs. Overall, the inherent properties of GNPs along with their geometry led to the production of better-performing rubber compounds that can replace their CB-filled counterparts in applications where flexibility, tear strength and compliance are important. The influence of processing on dispersion, orientation and agglomeration of flakes was also highlighted with respect to the Young’s modulus of the NBR compounds.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/6/1204nitrile butadiene rubbergraphene nanoplateletsmicromechanicscarbon black |
spellingShingle | James R. Innes Robert J. Young Dimitrios G. Papageorgiou Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber Compounds Polymers nitrile butadiene rubber graphene nanoplatelets micromechanics carbon black |
title | Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber Compounds |
title_full | Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber Compounds |
title_fullStr | Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber Compounds |
title_full_unstemmed | Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber Compounds |
title_short | Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Replacement for Carbon Black in Rubber Compounds |
title_sort | graphene nanoplatelets as a replacement for carbon black in rubber compounds |
topic | nitrile butadiene rubber graphene nanoplatelets micromechanics carbon black |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/6/1204 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT jamesrinnes graphenenanoplateletsasareplacementforcarbonblackinrubbercompounds AT robertjyoung graphenenanoplateletsasareplacementforcarbonblackinrubbercompounds AT dimitriosgpapageorgiou graphenenanoplateletsasareplacementforcarbonblackinrubbercompounds |