Polydopamine in‐situ polymerized on graphene oxide for nitrile butadiene rubber with high strength, elasticity and aging resistance

Abstract The elasticity and aging resistance of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) will be reduced by reinforced filler. Herein, we report that polydopamine (PDA) polymerized in situ on graphene oxide (GO) to obtain polydopamine‐graphene oxide (PDA‐GO) nanofiller for simultaneously improving strength, elasticity and thermal oxidative aging‐resistant performance of NBR. The structure, composition and morphology of PDA‐GO and NBR composites were characterized. The effect of PDA‐GO on the performance of NBR was investigated. Results show that PDA microspheres improved the dispersion of GO in matrix. With incorporation 3 phr of PDA‐GO, the tensile strength of NBR raised from 3.8 to 9.2 MPa. It is satisfactory that the elasticity is also improved significantly. PDA‐GO/NBR composite equips better thermal oxidative stability and aging resistance. The tensile strength of 3 phr‐PDA‐GO/NBR after aging is even 3.4 MPa higher than that of unfilled NBR before aging. Our work proposes an insight for the manufacture of rubber composites with high strength, elasticity and aging resistance. Highlights GO modified by PDA is prepared via an in‐situ polymerization process. In situ polymerized PDA microspheres greatly promotes the dispersion of GO in NBR matrix. NBR filled with PDA‐GO shows a superior strength and elasticity simultaneously. PDA‐GO endows NBR with prominent performance in aging resistance.