NANOCOMPÓSITOS ELASTOMÉRICOS: OBTENÇÃO DE SILICONE CONDUTIVO PELA INCORPORAÇÃO DE NANOPARTÍCULAS DE CARBONO
Carbon nanoparticles as a filler component attract the attention of the elastomeric industry, to obtain functional nanocomposites and improve the mechanical performance and conductivity of materials that are known for their deficiencies with these properties. Fillers such as reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes exhibit problematic dispersion in elastomers, affecting the homogeneous distribution of particles along the elastomer and making it difficult to achieve the desired properties. Through the chemical modification of the nanoparticles, it is possible to observe greater homogeneity of the charges within the elastomer, improving mechanical, tribological and electrical properties of the matrix, which are not seen in conventional composites and using a smaller amount of filler. In this study, we aim at the functionalization of reduced graphene oxide and oxidized carbon nanotubes with the commercial coupling agent γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (KH550) and produce a nanocomposite made of silicone rubber and nanoparticles pure and modified. First, the synthesis of graphene oxide is performed by the modified Hummers method and its reduction. Then, reduced graphene oxide and oxidized carbon nanotubes are silanized by silane in a simple mixing reaction. The pristine and silanized carbon nanoparticles and the elastomeric nanocomposite were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared, X-Ray Excited Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy and electrical conductivity. The dynamic-mechanical parameters of the composite were also analyzed.