Atomistic Modeling of Mechanical Properties and Creep Behavior of Graphene Oxide Reinforced Natural Rubber Composites

Abstract

In the realm of polymer composites, the research of nanoparticles has risen in prominence. Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the best nanofillers in natural rubber (NR). In this work, GO nanosheets are utilized as reinforcement in an NR composite to anticipate mechanical characteristics. The researchers project the effect of GO sheets in NR with varied volume percentages and defective GO sheet reinforcement in NR composites. When the volume percentage of GO sheet in the NR nanocomposite is 4.6% and 7.2%, respectively, the value of Young's modulus rose by 68.8% and 166.2%. GO/NR with a 7.2% volume fraction has the highest ultimate tensile strength as compared with lower volume fractions of GO/NR nanocomposites. An increase of 63.49% in ultimate tensile strength in GO/NR nanocomposites (7.2% vol fraction) is seen as compared with pristine NR. Creep characteristics of NR nanocomposites are also investigated. The results reveal that the addition of GO sheets considerably increases the creep resistance strength of NR nanocomposites. The zone of secondary creep grows narrower as the continuous stress level increases.