Effect of graphite nanoplatelets surface area on mechanical properties of room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber nanocomposites

Graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) flakes have attracted attention for the production of polymeric nanocomposites owing to their excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. In this work, the impact of three grades of GNP flakes with different surface area on the properties of room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV-SR) nanocomposites was analyzed. The surface area was determined by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method using N-2 adsorption isotherms. The BET analysis showed that the GNP grades had BET surface areas of 422, 295, and 123 m(2)/g. Nanocomposites based on the three grades of GNP flakes with different surface area and RTV-SR were prepared using the solution-casting process. Mechanical analysis of the samples showed that the compressive modulus increased from 3.8 MPa (0 phr) to 4.4, 4.34, and 5.26 MPa at the filler loading of 15 phr of GNPs with 422, 295, and 123 m(2)/g, respectively. In addition, the fracture strain of the nanocomposites increased from 116% (0 phr) to 228%, 198%, and 151% in the samples with 422, 295, and 123 m(2)/g, respectively, at the filler loading of 15 phr GNP.

Automated summary

Graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) flakes with different surface area were analyzed for their impact on the properties of room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV-SR) nanocomposites. The results showed that GNP flakes with larger surface area enhanced the mechanical performance of the nanocomposites.