Effects of rGO Concentration on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of rGO Natural Rubber Nanocomposite

Abstract

Nanocomposites of natural rubber (NR) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were prepared by varying their ratios intending to improve the electrical and mechanical properties of natural rubber. rGO was prepared through oxidation and subsequent reduction of high purity Sri Lankan vein graphite. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The SEM images viewed a uniform homogeneous surface of the nanocomposite while FTIR and XRD spectral signatures substantiated its chemical functionalities and structural traits respectively. Mechanical properties such as tensile stress & strain, elongation at break, hardness, Young's modulus, and strain of the nanocomposite, were also investigated. Here the electrical conductivity was measured using the two-probe method. The nanocomposite started conducting at 2% rGO in rubber and increased conducting with increasing rGO. The hardness of the composites continuously increased with increasing rGO in rubber. Despite the tensile strength and elongation at break, Young's modulus also increased with increasing the rGO percentage up to 1.5 % and was optimized at the particular ratio. The highest strength of 15.91MPa was obtained at 1.5% of rGO. A detailed property investigation of rGO/NR nanocomposite has not been reported previously for the best of our knowledge. Hence, the study expected to be well supportive for future industrial developments including electronics, electrical devices, batteries, capacitors, as well as in heavy equipment including aerospace and automobiles.