Graphene nanoplatelets in polychloroprene matrix: An insight to dispersion with a special emphasize to electro‐mechanical properties

This work is based on the preparation of graphene‐reinforced elastomeric nanocomposites and an investigation on their electro‐mechanical properties with a special emphasize to electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. Polychloroprene rubber (CR) and commercial grade graphene‐based nanocomposites (GnPs) were prepared by using melt mixing and dual mixing (solution followed by melt) technique to study an insight into the dispersion and its effect on various properties namely, mechanical, thermal, conductivity, and EMI shielding, and so on. Dual mixing technique offers better dispersion of graphene platelets compared with melt mixing technique. Therefore, higher filler‐filled nanocomposites were prepared only by using dual mixing technique. A 0.5 wt% GnP containing batches showed 23% improvement in mechanical property in dual mixing technique compared with the 6% in melt mixing technique. Apart from that, it has been observed that upto 5 wt% GnP containing batches the mechanical property was improved using dual mixing technique whereas the same is observed upto 3 wt% GnP containing batches in case of melt mixing technique. 10 wt% GnP‐based nanocomposites prepared by using dual mixing technique shows 23 dB EMI shielding for 2‐mm thick sheet compound. Maximum 26 dB EMI shielding was observed at 15 wt% GnP containing nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1871–E1883, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers