Complementary effect of graphene oxide-carbon nanotubes in fluoro-elastomer matrix

The complementary advantage of carbon nanotubes (C) and graphene oxide sheets (G) was used to form composites with Fluoroelastomer (FKM) via melt solvent/solid mixing techniques and their properties were studied. The hybrid compositions demonstrated better physico-mechanical properties than the single-filled, at lower concentration of the G-loading. At high content of G-sheets, formations of agglomerates were observed, resulting in inferior properties. The hybrid composition FCG (1:1) recorded the highest tensile strength (∼47% > FKM), slightly higher than FCG _a (0.1:0.3) by ∼1.9%. FCG _a in turn, recorded the fastest cure properties (lowest T ₉₀ and highest CRI), higher cure rheo-mechanical strength indicators (M _L , M _H and ΔM), high thermal stability (84.3% > FKM based on weight residue (%)). FCG _a also recorded the lowest energy dissipation (tanδ), and highest dielectric constant (ɛʹ), which were about 57.7% > FKM. It was observed that enhancement in properties of FCG was mainly due to high content of physical networks (—C—C— or —G—G— and —C—G—) while those in FCG _a were mainly as results of chemical links (C—FKM— c —NT—G—FKM— c —G—).