Remarkably improving performance of carbon black-filled rubber composites by incorporating MoS2 nanoplatelets

The filler dispersion and network in rubber composites are critical factors in determining the properties of the composites. In this study, we incorporate a graphene-like layered material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), to partly substitute carbon black (CB) in styrene butadiene rubber/CB composites, and primarily focus on the filler dispersion and network as well as their effects on the mechanical properties of the composites. With the addition of MoS2, the dispersion of CB is greatly improved and the CB agglomerates are suppressed. When MoS2 substitution content is less than 1 phr, the modulus and strength of the composites are slightly decreased due to the release of trapped rubber from CB agglomerates, while the dynamic mechanical properties are significantly improved. At higher MoS2 substitution loading, MoS2 and CB form a denser and continuous hybrid filler network, which shows remarkable synergistic effects in improving the both static and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites. For example, the addition of 3 phr MoS2 leads to a 50% increase in the tensile modulus and 10 °C decrease in the heat build-up of the composite.