Exploring the filler-polymer interaction and solvent transport behavior of nanocomposites derived from reduced graphene oxide and polychloroprene rubber

Aliphatic solvent resistance of polychloroprene rubber (CR) reinforced reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites were explored in the temperature range of 30-50 degrees C using hexane, heptane, and octane. Microstructure-assisted solvent resistant property is evident from transmission electron microscopy images of fabricated composites. Different transport parameters such as diffusion, permeation, and sorption constants were moderate while increasing RGO content. Diffusion mechanism was explained based on the permeating molecule and is found to be close to Fickian mechanism except for heptane. Evaluation of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters shows the ability of nanoreinforcement to alter thermodynamic characteristics and rate constant values. The extent of reinforcement was also evaluated by Kraus equation. From swelling studies, molecular mass between crosslinks was evaluated using Flory-Rehner equation and compared these values with theoretical predictions such as phantom and affine models to analyze the deformation and mobility of the network during swelling. Temperature plays a significant role in the transport of organic solvent through CR/RGO nanocomposites. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48168.