Characterization of graphene-rubber nanocomposites: a review

Since its discovery in 2004, graphene has gained significant attention from both industry and academia. Its unique properties enable us to produce novel, enhanced polymer composites contributing to environmental and economic benefits. Graphene can improve the abrasion resistance of materials; thus, it can increase the service life of rubber tires. This present review discusses the testing of key properties of graphene and its elastomeric nanocomposites from a practical point of view. Graphene's layer thickness and its oxygen content are two key factors determining nano reinforcement's success. It is vital to monitor these properties both before and after mixing graphene with rubber to guarantee the high quality of the resulting nanocomposites. Ultimately, the distribution of nanoparticles within the matrix also plays a vital role in assuring strong reinforcement. Overall, we found that X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy can detect variation in all three aspects. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) can be used complementarily to support XRD findings.