Cross-linked high-performance natural rubber composite with low heat build-up based on a point-plane structured graphene system

Abstract

Natural rubber (NR) molecular chains and fillers friction against each other under high-intensity cyclic loading, resulting in high heat accumulation internally. Simultaneously, owing to the low thermal conductivity of NR, the heat accumulated by friction may not be released in a timely manner, which leads to performance degradation as well as shortened service life. Here, γ-sulfopropyltriethoxysilane (KH-580) was used to prepare in-situ grown sulfhydryl-modified silica on graphene oxide with a “point-plane” structure (SiO₂-SH@GO). Then the synthesized SiO₂-SH@GO particles were homogeneously mixed with the latex to make the masterbatch, and then the SiO₂-SH@GO/NR composites with crosslinking networks were prepared by hot-press vulcanization process. The findings revealed that the “point-plane” structure of SiO₂@GO increased the spacing of the GO layers and the effective contact area with the NR matrix. Meanwhile, the introduced sulfhydryl groups participate in the NR crosslinking and enhance the interfacial force. When the SiO₂-SH@GO content was 0.5 phr, the composite exhibited a heat build-up of 19.86 °C, tensile strength of 29.30 MPa, and tear strength of 129.46 N/mm. Therefore, the mechanical properties of NR composites are drastically improved by constructing the filler system with “point-plane” structure, which provides an unusual idea for the design of outstanding performance rubber materials with low heat build-up.