Oriented molybdenum disulfide-silica/hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber composites: Effects of nanosheets on mechanical and dielectric properties

A series of non-covalently functionalized molybdenum disulfide-silica (f-MoS₂-SiO₂) nanocomposites was prepared by an in-situ assembled method and used to fabricate the oriented molybdenum disulfide-SiO₂/Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (f-MoS₂-SiO₂/HNBR) composites. The characterization results show the synergistic dispersion between the functionalized molybdenum disulfide (f-MoS₂) nanosheets and SiO₂ nanoparticles. The addition of f-MoS₂ nanosheets can improve the dispersion of fillers in the rubber matrix and weaken the filler network. The non-covalently functionalization improves the interface interaction between f-MoS₂ nanosheets and the rubber matrix. Furthermore, the tensile strength of f-MoS₂-SiO₂/HNBR is 65.9% higher than that of SiO₂/HNBR by adding 1.0wt% of f-MoS₂. At the same time, the dielectric constant of f-MoS₂-SiO₂/HNBR is increased by 23.7% compared to SiO₂/HNBR due to the micro-capacitor structure of parallel f-MoS₂ nanosheets in the rubber matrix. Our work provides new ideas for the development of high-performance elastomer materials.