# Graphene-Enhanced Fluoroelastomer Composites for Advanced Applications

## TL;DR

This paper explores how adding graphene to fluoroelastomers improves their mechanical and thermal properties, especially when using a solvent-assisted method.

## Contribution

The study introduces a solvent-assisted method for better graphene dispersion in fluoroelastomers, leading to enhanced composite performance.

## Key findings

- Composites with 2 and 3 phr graphene via solvent method showed 38% higher thermal degradation resistance.
- Solvent-assisted 3 phr graphene samples had a tensile strength of 21.74 MPa and improved energy dissipation.
- Enhanced graphene dispersion led to restricted polymer chain mobility and better stress transfer.

## Abstract

Fluoroelastomers are widely used in applications requiring
resistance
to high temperatures, aggressive chemicals, and elevated pressure
conditions, enabling efficient applications in harsh environments.
The incorporation of graphene has shown potential to enhance the mechanical
and thermal performance, resulting in more efficient composites. However,
graphene incorporation remains a challenge due to the difficulty of
dispersing graphene sheets within the rubber matrix. This research
developed fluoroelastomer composites with 1, 2, and 3 phr of graphene
using both the melt blending method and the solvent-assisted method
with acetonitrile to incorporate graphene. The composites were characterized
by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS),
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis
(DMA), as well as Shore A hardness and tensile testing. FT-IR indicated
the complete removal of acetonitrile and similar spectra among all
of the composites, indicating that the solvent method does not chemically
modify the samples. SEM and EDS analyses revealed overall similar
morphologies among the samples; however, composites containing 2 and
3 phr of graphene processed via the solvent-assisted method exhibited
a more pronounced surface roughness. TGA indicated up to a 38% increase
in initial degradation resistance in composites with 2 and 3 phr incorporated
via the solvent method. In dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests,
samples with 3 phr exhibited higher energy dissipation at −30
°C and a higher T
g (11.8 °C)
when prepared using the solvent method. Shore A hardness decreased
by up to 11.8% in samples from the standard method. In tensile testing,
the 3 phr sample via solvent incorporation exhibited the best performance,
with a tensile strength of 21.74 MPa and intermediate elongation.
These results indicate that the improvements achieved through enhanced
graphene dispersion result from restricted molecular chain mobility
and more efficient stress transfer, enabled by strengthened interactions
between graphene and the polymer matrix. Overall, these findings emphasize
the importance of developing more robust and efficient rubber composites
to address the growing performance requirements of modern material
applications.