Nitrile butadiene rubber composites reinforced with reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes show superior mechanical, electrical and icephobic properties

In this article, we examine the effects of two different nanostructured carbons when they are incorporated in a rubber matrix in terms of mechanical and electrical properties as well as the icephobic behaviour of the nanocomposites when swollen. Nitrile butadiene rubber composites reinforced with thermally reduced graphene oxide or multiwalled carbon nanotubes or both of them were prepared and characterized. At a particular hybrid filler loading, tensile and electrical tests showed a significant improvement of the composite. From the swelling studies, after the immersion, the nanocomposites experienced a reduction of the cross-link density that promotes weakening of ice adhesion, being this effect more evident for those samples prepared with hybrid fillers. In view of the composite formulations, that utilize commercially available elastomers and fillers, these findings would be applicable to the automotive and aviation sectors, where the demand for multifunctional rubbers is increasing.