The role of interfacial compatibilizer in controlling the electrical conductivity and piezoresistive behavior of the nanocomposites based on RTV silicone rubber/graphite nanosheets

New pressure sensitive nanocomposites with high reversible piezoresistive behavior based on room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (RTVSR), graphite nanosheets (GN) and an alkylammonium salt as interfacial compatibilizer were fabricated employing reactive solution mixing process. The role of the compatibilizer in controlling the graphite dispersion state and hence electrical and piezoresistive behavior was investigated. The microstructure of the nanocomposite in liquid state was correlated with dynamic rheological behavior. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry were used to analyze the obtained nanocomposites. Uncompatibilized SR/GN vulcanizates with a GN content close to the percolation threshold (3 wt.%) showed a sharp negative pressure coefficient of resistance at the pressure range of 0.7–10 MPa. The unvulcanized nanocomposite containing 30 wt.% of compatibilizer exhibited higher viscosity and enhanced storage modulus within low frequency region indicating the presence of the interconnected conductive networks throughout the SR matrix leading to the reduction of conductivity threshold from 3 to 1 wt.% and less negative piezoresistivity.