(1) University of Calgary - Calgary, Alberta - Canada
Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are attractive materials for polymer nanocomposites due to enhanced properties compared to carbon nanotubes. This is a consequence of higher interfacial area; hence adhesion with the polymer matrix. Furthermore, substitution of carbon atoms with other atoms as dopants is known as an efficient method to improve the properties of GNR. Among the potential dopants, nitrogen is considered to be an excellent element for the chemical doping of carbon materials especially for electrical application. In this work undoped and nitrogen doped GNRs have been synthesized from the parent multiwall carbon nanotubes via a chemical route using potassium permanganate and some second acids. Then, fluoroelastomer (FKM)/GNR nanocomposites have been prepared using a solution mixing protocol. The doping effect of GNR incorporated into FKM on the curing behavior has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and rheology tests.