Highly reinforced magneto-sensitive natural-rubber nanocomposite using iron oxide/multilayer graphene as hybrid filler

Abstract

This study investigates the reinforcing and magnetomechanical properties of natural-rubber (NR) composites with ultrasonicated iron oxide, multilayer graphene (MLG), and an iron oxide/MLG hybrid filler. Significant improvements in the mechanical and magneto-sensitive mechanical properties were observed through the incorporation of iron oxide; upon the addition of 2.91 vol% iron oxide, the tensile strength of the composite with the iron oxide/MLG hybrid filler was 160% higher than that of unfilled rubber. The mechanical properties were further enhanced when a hybrid filler containing MLG and iron oxide was used. The strengthening of filler–polymer interactions in the composites with the hybrid filler and the homogeneity of filler dispersion were attributed to the formation of mechanical interactions among filler particles during mixing. The tensile strength of the composite with the hybrid filler containing 3.85 vol% iron oxide and 4.23 vol% MLG was 257% higher than that of unfilled rubber. The results confirmed that iron oxide can act as an effective reinforcing filler, because its addition increases the crosslinking density. Additionally, the MLG filler with improved dispersion provided excellent reinforcement to magneto-sensitive NR. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd