Study on Nanocomposite Thermoplastic Elastomer Gels

Thermoplastic elastomer gels, which has molecular networks composed of a microphase-separated multiblock copolymer swollen to a large extent by a low volatility mid-block selective solvent such as white oil have various applications. In this particular study, the effect of several network-forming nanoscale fillers such as two different graphite particles and carbon nanotube on the properties of TPE gels prepared from a microphaseordered poly[styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene] (SEBS) triblock copolymer with an EB compatible white oil was studied. The linear viscoelastic behavior, sol-gel transition, x-ray diffraction and mechanical properties were discussed. The properties of thermoplastic elastomer gels hybrid with graphite prepared by mixing Poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) with paraffin oil and different amount of expandable graphite were found to increase the mechanical properties at only lower graphite concentration but tends to decrease when paraffin oil/SEBS ratio is lower. The gelation temperature is the same for all TPE gels with different amounts of graphite. Both storage (G') modulus loss (G") modulus of TPE gels slightly increase with addition of graphite.