Mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of graphene oxide–multiwalled carbon nanotubes-filled thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposite

Abstract

This article studies the enhancement in the properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) reinforced by graphene oxide (GnO) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). TPNR is a blend of polypropylene and liquid natural rubber (NR), which is used as a compatibilizer and NR at a percentage of volume ratio 70:10:20, respectively. Using TPNR as the host matrix, a number of TPNR/carbon nanotubes (CNTs), TPNR/GnO, and hybrid TPNR/GnO/CNTs nanocomposites are processed and their mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties are characterized. The results extracted from tensile and impact test showed that tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and storage modulus of TPNR/GnO/MWCNTs hybrid nanocomposite increased as compared with TPNR composite and TPNR/GnO nanocomposite but lower than TPNR/MWCNTs nanocomposite. On the other hand, the elongation at break considerably decreased with increasing the content of both types of nanoparticles. Based on the experimental results, the thermal, electrical conductivity of a 0.5 wt% MWCNTs-reinforced sample increased as compared with a pure TPNR and other MWCNTs/GnO-reinforced composites. The improved dispersion properties of the nanocomposites can be due to altered interparticle interactions. MWCNTs, GnO, and MWCNTs–GnO networks are well combined to generate a synergistic effect that is shown by scanning electron microscopy micrographs. With the existence of this network, the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of the nanocomposite were improved significantly.