Excellent Exfoliation of Hybrid Rubber <scp>GO</scp>/<scp>EPDM</scp>/<scp>CR</scp>/Fatty Acid/<scp>EPDM‐<i>g</i>‐MAH</scp> Nanocomposites: Propping Open Nanoplatelets and Compatibility

ABSTRACT One of the major challenges associated with rubber nanocomposites is the lack of compatibility among their components. The use of an appropriate compatibilizer can help resolve this problem. In this research, ethylene propylene diene monomer/chloroprene rubber (EPDM/CR) was used to prepare a rubber blend. EPDM‐grafted‐maleic anhydride (EPDM‐ g ‐MAH) was applied as a compatibilizer, and graphene oxide (GO) was used as reinforcement. The purpose of this study is to use fatty acids like docosanoic acid, eicosanoic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid for better dispersion and exfoliation of GO within an EPDM/CR matrix using EPDM‐ g ‐MAH as a compatibilizer and the mentioned fatty acids. X‐ray diffraction approved the accuracy of the samples synthesis. The study examined mechanical properties, rheological behavior, morphology, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermal stability, and curing behavior. Tensile strength increased from 19.02 MPa to 36.91 MPa, modulus increased from 1.87 MPa to 2.46 MPa, hardness increased from 69.1 Shore A to 70 Shore A, and fatigue to failure increased from 207 cycles × 100 to 378 cycles × 100 increased with the inclusion of GO and fatty acids. Also, thermal analysis showed an increase in storage modulus (E′), reflecting enhanced compatibility and restricted chain mobility. TEM and SEM images indicated that EPDM‐ g ‐MAH enhanced the compatibility of the components and that fatty acids significantly improved the dispersion of GO in the nanocomposites. Furthermore, superior dispersion was observed as the chain length increased. The results showed that by incorporating fatty acid into the matrix, the properties of the nanocomposites improved. Additionally, the curing kinetics of the nanocomposites were investigated, revealing that the activation energy associated with the vulcanization process is relatively low.