Development of poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene)/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for barrier, dielectric and sensing applications

Conducting poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) (IIR)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/expanded graphite (EG) composites have been fabricated with high barrier, dielectric and sensing properties, making them suitable in modern electronics (robotic) and electric power systems. The dielectric permittivity increased 10-fold at 10(-2) Hz for RGO compared to EG filled composites at 5 wt% loading while preserving low dielectric loss due to reducing polarization process to screen charge movement. The piezoresistance of RGO and EG filled rubber composites under uniaxial pressure was studied and significant sensing property of RGO is established. The vast surface of RGO sheets improves interaction of nanofiller/elastomer at the interface and provides efficient barrier to the organic vapor. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy data give evidences for the high level dispersion state of EG and RGOs in IIR. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.