Improving acrylonitrile rubber properties by recycled nano graphene oxide prepared from sugarcane bagasse

Abstract Naturally occurring inexpensive substance is useful as a raw material like graphite. Graphene oxide (GO) is made from sugarcane bagasse (SB) to create nano graphene oxide (GO‐SB). Nitrile rubber (NBR) was used as base matrix while (GO‐SB) filler was combined at various loadings [2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 Part per hundred part of rubber (phr)]. The impact of the prepared (GO‐SB) loading on the physicomechanical and curing characteristics of NBR nanocomposites was examined and evaluated. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), x‐ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were used to estimate and characterize the prepared investigated rubber samples. Excellent dispersion of (GO‐SB) (8 phr) in the NBR matrix was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The filler agglomerations in the matrix were found to be a heterogeneous dispersion of (GO‐SB) (10 phr). Curing characterizations showed that the compounded rubber with (GO‐SB) had larger maximum and minimum torques, a torque difference at 8 phr, and a faster cure rate than the unfilled NBR compound. The equilibrium swelling and mechanical characteristics demonstrated that reinforcing effect of the prepared nanocomposites contained 8 phr (GO‐SB). When the filler content increased up to 10 phr, Shore A hardness values increased. Highlights Graphene oxide nanosized prepared from sugarcane bagasse. Transmission electron microscopy verified the nanoscale of Graphene oxide. Nano Graphene oxide and ingredients are incorporated in NBR by rubber mixer. Effect of Nano Graphene oxide on mechanical properties of NBR evaluated. The products have better physico mechanical properties.