GRAPHENE OXIDE-SILICA GREEN HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITES: FABRICATION VIA MIXING AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES EVALUATION

ABSTRACT This study investigates the incorporation of sustainable self-assembled graphene oxide-nano silica (GO/NS) hybrid nanoparticles into the NR latex (NRL) matrix via latex mixing. The primary objective is to assess the synergistic impact of these nanofillers on the mechanical properties of NRL by using both static and dynamic mechanical analyses. Results reveal significant enhancements in mechanical properties, with NRL GO/NS 2 exhibiting a remarkable 188% increase in tensile strength and NRL GO/NS 3 showing a substantial 107% increase. Furthermore, NRL GO/NS 3 demonstrates a 30% reduction in rolling resistance and a remarkable 200% improvement in wet grip, whereas NRL GO/NS 2 exhibits an 88% increase in wet grip and a 43% decrease in rolling resistance, suggesting potential fuel efficiency benefits. These advancements hold promise for various applications such as automotive tire manufacturing, biomedical devices, and the production of elastomeric goods.