In-situ constructing hybrid cross-linked networks in brominated butyl rubber via amphiphilic graphene oxide cross-linkers: Retaining excellent gas barrier and mechanical properties after fatigue

Rubber/graphene nanocomposites as gas barrier materials have attracted great interest in recent years. However, it is still a challenge to construct strong covalent interfaces between nonpolar rubber matrix and graphene for retaining excellent gas barrier and mechanical properties of aircraft tires after fatigue. In this work, hybrid crosslinked networks in brominated butyl rubber (BIIR) are first proposed and in-situ constructed successfully via introducing the amphiphilic graphene oxide cross-linkers (R-aGO). R-aGO can participate in the curing of BIIR to form hybrid cross-linked networks, which can force R-aGO to move with BIIR synchronously during fatigue deformation due to strong interfaces between BIIR and R-aGO via covalent bonds. When R-aGO content is 3 phr, the BIIR/R-aGO nanocomposites show a 27 % improvement in gas barrier property, a 230 % increase in strength at 40 % strain (suffered deformation of aircraft tires), and a 229 % enhancement in tensile strength relative to conventional BIIR/aGO nanocomposites with interfacial modifiers. More importantly, BIIR/R-aGO nanocomposites still retain excellent gas barrier and mechanical properties even after 500,000 load cycles (40 % strain). This work provides a novel route to fabricate rubber/graphene nanocomposites with superior gas barrier and mechanical properties, especially after fatigue.