Green Fabrication of High-Performance, Lignosulfonate-Functionalized, and Reduced-Graphene Oxide Styrene–Butadiene Rubber Composites

The preparation of high-performance graphene/rubber composites by green compounding methods is one of the dominant trends in exploiting and extending the applications of graphene in the rubber industry. A novel strategy is demonstrated here for fabricating a functionalized reduced-graphene oxide (SRGO) aqueous dispersion employing sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) as the stabilizer and ascorbic acid as the reductant. Furthermore, the SRGO was introduced into a styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix via the green latex compounding method. As a result, SRGO/SBR composites not only had excellent tensile strength and flexibility but also exhibited considerable resistance to dynamic fatigue crack growth. The outstanding comprehensive performance of SRGO/SBR composites was ascribed to the SLS attached on the surface of SRGO by π–π interactions, which improved the dispersibility of SRGO in the SBR matrix and enhanced interfacial interactions between the SRGO and SBR chains. This research provides a novel strategy for the preparation of rubber composites with remarkable strength and durability.