Improved Performance of Styrene Butadiene Rubber by Sulfurized Graphitic Nanoplatelets

Abstract Sulfurized graphitic nanoplatelets (SGNP) are produced directly through a mechanochemical reaction involving solid graphite and S 8 as a reinforcing filler for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). The resulting SGNP&SBR_ X , prepared with varying SGNP content ( X = 1, 2, or 5 wt.%), exhibit a substantial improvement in mechanical properties and thermal stability compared to SGNP&SBR_0. SGNP&PSB_1 showed the highest tensile strength (32.8 ± 2.10 MPa), Young's modulus (1322 ± 201 MPa), and tensile toughness (8.9 ± 0.73 MPa), which increase by about 54.7%, 25.4%, and 6.0%, respectively, compared with the SGNP&SBR_0. This is due to not only the unique properties of the SGNP (e.g., excellent mechanical properties, dispersion, interfacial adhesion, and etc.), but also the sulfur units at the edge of the SGN, which also improve the mechanical properties of the SBR matrix. The results show SGNP will be a remarkable filler candidate for improving the properties of rubber resins, by the sulfur units, as well as other outstanding properties.