Synthesis and characterizations of modified expanded graphite/emulsion styrene butadiene rubber nanocomposites: Mechanical, dynamic mechanical and morphological properties

The present research work demonstrated the reinforcing effect of expanded graphite (EG) and modified EG (MEG) with and without carbon black (CB) on the physical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of emulsion polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) vulcanizates. In separate batches, EG and MEG flakes with and without CB were incorporated into the SBR by melt blending. The microstructures of the nanocomposites were precisely characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM). EG and MEG filled SBR compounds showed improvement in the curing features, mechanical, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties than their respective controls.