Self-assembled monolayers modified and further silanized graphene nanosheets reinforced silicone rubber with highly mechanical performance

Abstract Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified graphene oxide SAM-rGO (AGO) has been prepared and works as the template for further fabricated silanized 2D AGO-TEOS nanosheets with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), which can effectively prevent the agglomeration of GO and well-dispersed in the silicone rubber (SR). Compared with the popular method of synthesizing silica nanoparticles on the surface of GO, the polysiloxane chains directly interact with AGO-TEOS without using silica as a medium, therefore it can produce a stronger interface interaction with SR, and greatly improves the mechanical strength of SR. When 5 wt% AGO-TEOS are added, the strength of SR is increased to 6.30 MPa, which is 1575% of unfilled SR, while the elongation at break is 99.31%.