Synergistic effects of hybrid carbon nanomaterials in room-temperature-vulcanized silicone rubber.

This work examines nanocomposites based on nanofillers and room-temperature-vulcanized silicone rubber. The carbon nanofillers used were conductive carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (GE). Vulcanizates for CB, GE, CNTs as the only filler and hybrid fillers using CNTs, CB and GE were prepared by solution mixing. The elastic modulus for CNT hybrid with CB at 15 phr (4.65 MPa) was higher than for CB hybrid with GE (3.13 MPa) and CNTs/CB/GE as the only filler. Similarly, the resistance for CNT hybrid with CB at 10 phr (0.41 kΩ) was lower than for CB (0.84 kΩ) at 20 phr and CNTs as the only filler. These improvements result from efficient filler networking, a synergistic effect among the carbon nanomaterials, the high aspect ratio of CNTs and the improved filler dispersion in the rubber matrix. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]