Effect of modified carbon nanotubes/reduced graphene oxide hybrid filler on electrical conductivity and positive temperature coefficient of resistance of elastomeric nanocomposite

The effect of a hybrid filler, modified carbon nanotubes/reduced graphene oxide (MCNT/rGO), synthesized by laser ablation of a ferrocene-graphite target and graphene oxide on the properties of an elastomeric composite based on Silagerm 8030 silicone has been studied. Using Raman spectroscopy (ID/IG = 1.18–1.19) and electron microscopy, it was found that the filler consists of intertwined filamentous structures with a diameter of 30–100 nm. It is shown that the introduction of 1–4 wt.% of the MCNT/rOG hybrid leads to a synergistic improvement in functional characteristics: the time to reach a steady-state thermal regime decreased by 26% (from 142 to 105 s), and the equilibrium temperature increased by 8,3°C (from 32.2°C to 40.5°C). It has been established that the observed effect is due to the formation of a developed conductive network in a polymer matrix, where one-dimensional MCNT create long paths, and two-dimensional flakes of rOG act as conductive "bridges". The results of the work open up prospects for creating energy-efficient self-regulating systems with improved operational characteristics.