Enhanced Gas and Plasticizer Barrier Properties of Silicone Rubber with Ordered Functionalized Magnetic Graphene Oxide

To develop a type of nanocomposite with high barrier properties for the solid propellant insulation layer, functionalized magnetic graphene oxide (FMGO) was prepared using the ultrasound-assisted coprecipitation method. The structure of FMGO was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. To attain a structured orientation within the silicone rubber (SiR) matrix and enhance the barrier properties of the SiR matrix insulation layer, FMGO nanofillers were incorporated into SiR and subjected to a rotating magnetic field (100 mT). Subsequently, a comprehensive characterization of the morphology of the ordered FMGO/SiR composites was conducted. Experimental results showed that the ordered FMGO/SiR composites with a rotating magnetic field exhibited improved barrier properties, achieving a 46.4% reduction in oxygen permeability and a 25.1% reduction in dioctyl sebacate migration equilibrium concentration compared to random FMGO/SiR composites. The barrier property of the SiR matrix is effectively improved due to the ordered alignment of FMGO flakes, which act as a physical barrier. This work successfully aligned FMGO within the polymer matrix in a controllable way and finally prepared highly ordered FMGO/SiR composites equipped with notable barrier properties.