A new thermoplastic elastomer with improved impact and tensile properties was produced through melt blending of graphene oxide filled nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR-GO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) without the addition of plasticisers and thermal stabilisers. Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) compounds, with and without graphene oxide (GO) are prepared through latex compounding method and cured, prior to blending with PVC. The effect of NBR and NBR-GO loading on the process-ability and physico-mechanical properties of PVC blends were evaluated. The addition of NBR and NBR-GO improved tensile strength (TS), impact strength and swelling resistance of PVC. Addition of NBR also increased the stiffness of PVC due to higher elasticity of NBR as compared to PVC. Optimum impact strength, TS and swelling resistance was achieved with the addition of 10 wt. % NBR-GO. Good miscibility between NBR and PVC, and additional reinforcement by GO is responsible for enhancement of impact and TS. NBR-GO showed greater miscibility in PVC as compared to NBR as proven by morphological observation under scanning electron microscope. Morphological observation reveals that micro-cracks formation on PVC/30NBR surface which is responsible for low impact, tensile and swelling properties as compared to PVC/30NBR-GO composite.
High-performance polyvinyl chloride gel artificial muscle actuator with graphene oxide and plasticizer
