Thermo-oxidative aging and tribological properties of nitrile rubber/graphene composites with different antioxidants

In this study, different types of antioxidants as well as graphene were incorporated into nitrile rubber to enhance the thermo-oxidative aging and tribological properties of nitrile rubber. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to determine critical parameters of the composite system, including the solubility parameter (δ) and mean square displacement (MSD). Based on these calculations, the effects of antioxidant RD (1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline) and antioxidant 4010NA (N-isopropyl-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine) on the thermo-oxidative aging performance and tribological properties of Graphene (GNS)/Nitrile Rubber (NBR) composites were systematically analyzed. The results indicate that the GNS/RD/NBR composite exhibits good compatibility and low mean square displacement. Furthermore, experimental results demonstrate that the composite possesses excellent tribological and mechanical properties. This study elucidates, from an atomic perspective, the microscopic mechanism by which the synergistic effects of various antioxidants and graphene influence the thermo-oxidative aging resistance and tribological properties of nitrile rubber, thereby providing theoretical guidance for the development of high-performance rubber materials.