Construction of interconnected Al2O3 doped rGO network in natural rubber nanocomposites to achieve significant thermal conductivity and mechanical strength enhancement. (20th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Jingchao; Zhao, Xiuying; Zhang, Zhaoxu; Xian, Yue; Lin, Yutao; Ji, Xiaowang; Lu, Yonglai; Zhang, Liqun
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 186(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-20
• Subjects: Natural rubber nanocomposite -- 3D filler network -- Graphene oxide -- Aluminium oxide -- Thermal conductivity; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.107930
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: Rubber promises to be an excellent matrix for heat dissipation composites due to its unique elasticity and flexibility. However, restricted by traditional processing approaches, it remains challenging to fabricate high-performance rubber nanocomposites with both good mechanical strength and high thermal conductivity (TC). Herein, we develop a novel GO-assisted gelation method to construct a 3D interconnected rGO@Al2 O3 hybrid fillers network as efficient heat transfer path in natural rubber nanocomposite acquiring desirable performance. The as-prepared rubber nanocomposite, at a filler loading of 18.0 vol%, exhibits not only a largely increased tensile strength (25.6 MPa) but also a high TC (0.514 W/(m·K)). Owing to the construction of a highly interconnected filler network, the resulting 3D rGO@Al2 O3 -NR shows apparently higher TC than the nanocomposites prepared by conventional method at the same filler content. More promisingly, the filler network tends to orient perpendicular to the compressing direction at ultrahigh filler loading, causing surprisingly enhanced in-plane TC which is up to 3.233 W/(m·K) at 33.9 vol% filler content. Moreover, we can easily control electrical resistance by adjusting the mass ratio of GO to Al2 O3, making the nanocomposites satisfy the use requirement of electrical insulation. This study provides a creative insight to the design of high-performance rubber nanocomposites with a bright application prospect in advanced heat dissipation materials. Highlights: Alumina-coated graphene oxide hybrid fillers (GO@Al2 O3 ) were fabricated by a facile electrostatic self-assembly method. Interconnected filler network was constructed successfully in the NR nanocomposite via a novel and simple strategy. The obtained NR nanocomposite exhibits a high thermal conductivity and excellent mechanical properties. The volume resistivity of the resulting products is adjustable.