Magnetite-functionalized graphene/poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) composites: thermal and mechanical properties

Abstract

Advanced polymer composites containing organic–inorganic fillers are gaining increasing attention due to their multifunctional applications. In this work, poly(styrene‐butadiene‐styrene) (SBS) composites containing magnetite‐functionalized graphene (FG) were prepared by a dissolution − dispersion − precipitation solution method. Evidently, through morphology studies, amounts of FG were well distributed in the SBS matrix. Improvements in neat SBS properties with respect to FG loading in terms of thermal stability, creep recovery and mechanical properties are presented. As expected, the addition of FG improved the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the composites. The yield strength and Young's modulus of the SBS increased by 66% and 146% at 5 wt% filler loading which can be attributed to the reinforcing nature of FG. Similarly, an increase in the storage and loss modulus of the composites showed a reinforcement effect of the filler even at low concentration. The results also showed the significant role of FG in improving the creep and recovery performance of the SBS copolymer. Creep deformation decreased with filler loading but increased with temperature.