Effective hybridization ofSiO2microsphere and graphene with tannic acid interface modifier for fabrication of multifunctional natural rubber/graphene nanocomposites

Abstract

AbstractNowadays, although highly conductive polymer composites filled with two‐dimensional graphene‐based nano‐fillers have been explored extensively, constructing nanocomposites with high performance, industrial feasibility, and more efficient conductive networks at lower nano‐filler contents remains a challenge. To achieve the above objectives, industrial wastes microsilica powder (N98) with amorphous spherical structure and large particle size is employed in this work. And the hybrids (TGN) are obtained between N98 and graphene (GE) by the effective bridging and interface coupling of tannic acid, which can achieve the purpose of obtaining conductive composites with low‐filler contents by traditional polymer processing technologies. The volume exclusion effect of N98 and its own assisted dispersion effect can prevent and attenuate graphene agglomeration, enabling the formation of a dense, complete and uniform conductive network in natural rubber (NR) matrix based on a small amount of graphene addition (parts per thousand). Thus, it give the nanocomposite highly functional, especially electric property. The results show that when the ratio of GE to N98 hybridization is 1:20, N98 and graphene are more uniformly hybridized together, and the volume exclusion effect is best matched with the rubber composites, and the comprehensive performance is optimal. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of NR/TG1N20nanocomposite can reach the balanced value of 10−3 S·cm−1with the GE loading of 0.48 phr, which shows the effectiveness of the prepared hybrids.