Synergistic effect of three-dimensional multi-walled carbon nanotube-graphene nanofiller in enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of high-performance silicone rubber

摘要

The homogeneous dispersion of nanofillers and filler-matrix interfacial interactions are important factors in the development of high-performance polymer materials for various applications. In the present work, a simple solution-mixing method was used to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotube(MWCNT)-graphene(G) (3:1,1:1,1:3) hybrids followed by their characterization through wide-angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analyses. Subsequently, MWCNT-G (1:1) hybrid was used as reinforcing filler in the formation of silicone rubber (VMQ) nanocomposites by solution intercalation, and their morphology and properties were investigated. Our findings showed that MWCNT-G (0.75 wt%)/VMQ composite exhibited significant improvements in tensile strength (110%) and Young's modulus (137%) compared to neat VMQ. The thermal stability of MWCNT-G (1 wt%)/VMQ was maximally improved by 154°C compared to neat VMQ. Differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated the maximum improvement of glass transition temperature (4 °C), crystallization temperature (8 °C) and melting temperature (5 °C) for MWCNT-G (1 wt%)/VMQ nanocomposite with respect to neat VMQ. Swelling measurements confirmed that the crosslink density and solvent resistance were a maximum for hybrid nanocomposites. Such improvements in the properties of MWCNT-G/VMQ nanocomposites could be attributed to a synergistic effect of the hybrid filler.