Effect of SDS decoration of graphene on the rheological and electrical properties of graphene-filled epoxy/Ag composites

The rheological behavior and viscosities of epoxy composites containing graphene decorated with SDS were investigated. Graphene filled epoxy composites were mixed and dispersed without solvent using a planetary shear mixer. It was found that SDS decorated graphene (Gr(s)) exhibits lower viscosities when compared to non-decorated graphene. Further findings from the viscosity results show that the addition of Gr(s) to an intrinsically shear thickening (dilatant) epoxy resin not only suppressed this rheological behavior, but also began to exhibit shear-thinning behavior past a weight concentration of 0.5 %. The morphology and electrical conductivity of the ECAs synthesized from this method have also been investigated and show bulk resistivity values in the range of 1×10-2Ωcm\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$1 \times 10^{ - 2} \,\Omega \,\,{\text{cm}}$$\end{document}. This work demonstrates the possibility of using Gr(s) in ECA applications, as well as for any composites that desire the suppression of shear thickening behavior for better workability and fluid flow.