Effect of reinforcement on the barrier and dielectric properties of epoxidized natural rubber-graphene nanocomposites

The influence of epoxidation level of natural rubber (i.e., ENR25, ENR50) on the dielectric and oxygen gas barrier properties of thermally reduced graphene oxide (GR) and graphite (GT) (with 2%w/w) filled nanocomposites are investigated here. GR, GT filled epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) nanocomposites were fabricated by mechanical mixing using environment friendly two-roll mill mixing method. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies were carried out to investigate the extent of chemical interactions between GR and ENR. Morphological studies were done using transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the distribution of GR and GT in the ENR. The improved gas barrier and dielectric properties of GT-ENR and GR-ENR composites synthesized by a novel green ecofriendly method is correlated with the chemical interactions among GT, GR, and ENR. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2439-2447, 2015. (c) 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers