Improvement of thermal conductivity and damping properties of rubber composite with modified graphene oxide and carbon nanotube prepared by a facile method

Abstract Thermally conductive and damping rubber composites can protect electronic components from the negative impact of vibration and heat built‐up. However, it is difficult to simultaneously improve the damping properties and thermal conductivity of rubber composites. The thermal conductivity and damping properties of carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) were improved simultaneously with modified graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nanotube (CNT) prepared by a facile method. GO was modified by hindered phenol 2, 2'–methylenebis (6‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methyl‐phenol). A multi‐walled CNT was modified by polyvinylpyrrolidone using a high‐pressure microchannel technology. The resultant modified GO and modified CNT were mixed to prepare hybrid fillers, and the hybrid fillers were added to obtain XNBR composites with good mechanical and damping properties, and high thermal conductivity. Tan δ value at 25°C of XNBR filled with 2 phr modified GO and 2 phr modified CNT reached 1.16. Moreover, the damping properties of the XNBR/modified GO/modified CNT composites were reliable and stable, solving the problems of hindered phenol migration in rubbers. The XNBR composites, which have excellent damping and mechanical properties and high thermal conductivity, have a broad application prospect in vibration reduction and thermal management. Highlights Modified GO/modified CNT simultaneously improved the damping properties and thermal conductivity of XNBR. Tan δ value at 25°C of XNBR filled with 2 phr modified GO and 2 phr modified CNT reached 1.16. Damping and thermal conductive XNBR composites also have good mechanical properties. The damping properties of XNBR composites were reliable and stable.