Preparation Methods and Properties of CNT/CF/G Carbon-Based Nano-Conductive Silicone Rubber
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript entitled "Preparation methods and properties of CNT/CF/G carbon-based nano-conductive silicone rubber" discusses the use of carbon fiber, graphene, and CNT as fillers to prepare carbon-based nano-conductive silicone rubber via solution blending. The area is quite interesting, however, I can not accept the manuscript in its present form.
1. In the abstract, "the resistance of the blended rubber increases from 2.69 × 103 to 9.66 × 104 Ω" can be changed to superscript.
2. Correct subscripts and superscripts in the manuscripts.
3. The manuscript needs formatting for equations and symbols included.
4. Authors need to validate and compare their results with state-of-the-art literature.
5. The manuscript needs extensive formatting corrections.
6. In all experiment result sections, the theories behind those results and the data need to be compared with the literature.
7. In conclusion, the limitation of the study and future work can be included.
The quality of the English language is okay.
Author Response
- In the abstract, "the resistance of the blended rubber increases from 2.69 × 103 to 9.66 × 104 Ω" can be changed to superscript.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. We have corrected the superscript of 2.69×103 to 9.66×104Ω” in the abstract. It is as follows:
Carbon-based nano-conductive silicone rubber is a kind of composite conductive polymer material that has good electrical and thermal conductivities and high magnetic flux. It has good application prospects for replacing most traditional conductive materials, but its mechanical and tensile strengths are poor, which limit its applications. In this study, carbon fiber(CF), graphene(G) and carbon nanotubes(CNT) are used as fillers to prepare carbon-based nano-conductive silicone rubber via solution blending, and then, the preparation methods and properties are analyzed. The results show that the three conductive nano-fillers in the blended carbon nano-conductive silicone rubber form a stable three-dimensional composite conductive network, which enhances the conductivity and stability. When the tensile rate is 520%, the resistance of the blended rubber increases from 2.69 × 103 to 9.66 × 104 Ω, and the rubber maintains good resilience and tensile sensitivity under repeated stretching. The results show that the proposed blended carbon nano-conductive silicone rubber has good properties and great application prospects, verifying the employed research method and showing the credibility of the research results.
- Correct subscripts and superscripts in the manuscripts.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. We have corrected the superscript or subscript in the paper. See the attached paper for details.
- The manuscript needs formatting for equations and symbols included.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The formatting of equations and symbols has been changed. See the attachment for details, and the formula is as follows:
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(1) |
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(2) |
4.Authors need to validate and compare their results with state-of-the-art literature.
- In all experiment result sections, the theories behind those results and the data need
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. In response to the suggestion of comparative literature in points 4 and 6, we compare the more classic electrical and mechanical properties in this article with other literatures, and modify them as follows:
In 3.1① Electrical properties of carbon fiber conductive silicone rubber, the following comparison content is added:
The volume resistivity of the carbon brazing fiber/(boron nitride/silicone rubber) (CF/(BN/SR)) composite material studied in literature [23] is 8.6 × 1013Ω cm, which is more conductive than the 7.5wt% carbon brazing fiber in this paper. The volume resistivity (9.5x104Ω·cm) of silicone rubber is 9 orders of magnitude higher, which shows that the carbon fiber conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper has better electrical properties.
In 3.1② mechanical properties of carbon fiber conductive silicone rubber, the following comparison content is added:
The tensile strength of the spherical boron nitride 10/pitch-based carbon fiber 20/silicone rubber (s-BN10/PCF20/SR) prepared by literature [26] is 1.08 MPa, which is significantly lower than that of the 7.5wt% carbon brazing fiber conductive silicon prepared in this paper. The tensile strength of the rubber (2.12 MPa), which shows that the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper are better.
In 3.2① Electrical properties of graphene conductive silicone rubber, the following comparison content is added:
The volume resistivity of boron nitride-multilayer graphene/silicone rubber (BN-MG/SR) prepared by literature [27] is as high as 4 × 1011Ω cm, which is higher than that of the 5.5wt% graphene conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper. The ratio (8.7x104 Ω·cm) is 7 orders of magnitude higher, which shows that the graphene conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper has better electrical properties.
3.2②In the mechanical properties of graphene conductive silicone rubber, the following comparison content is added:
The graphene-filled silicone rubber prepared by literature [28] has a maximum tensile strength of 1Mpa, which is lower than that of the graphene conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper (1.26387Mpa), which proves that the graphene conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper has good mechanical properties .
In 3.3① Electrical properties of carbon nanotube conductive silicone rubber, the following comparison content is added:
The volume resistivity of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) prepared in literature [29] is 1 × 106Ω·cm, which is higher than that of the 1.25wt% carbon nanotube conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper. The volume resistivity (1.34x104Ω·cm) is 2 orders of magnitude higher, which indicates that the carbon nanotube conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper has better electrical properties.
In 3.3②Mechanical properties of carbon nanotube conductive silicone rubber, the following comparison content is added:
The maximum tensile strength of the silicone rubber (SiR) composite with 0.5 wt% carbon nanotubes prepared in literature [31] is only 0.51 MPa, which is higher than that of the conductive silicone rubber with 1.25 wt% carbon nanotubes prepared in this paper (1.60 MPa ) is lower, which indicates that the carbon nanotube conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper has good mechanical properties.
- The manuscript needs extensive formatting corrections.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The format has been corrected. See the attached file for details.
7.In conclusion, the limitation of the study and future work can be included.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. We have supplemented relevant content in the conclusion. as follows:
In this paper, a preliminary study on the method of percolation blending to prepare carbon nano-conductive silicone rubber is carried out. However, there are still some limitations in the research on the types and proportions of conductive silicone rubber fillers. The follow-up research work can be carried out in the following directions:
(1) Enrich the types of conductive fillers, carry out surface treatment or modification treatment on the fillers, and improve the process according to the performance of different fillers.
(2) Further investigate the fatigue strength and durability of the mixed conductive silicone rubber, laying the foundation for the application of conductive silicone rubber in flexible sensors and other fields.
See attachments
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
It is an original paper dealing with “Preparation methods and properties of CNT/CF/G carbon-based nano-conductive silicone rubber “.Regarding this manuscript there are some minor and major comments below to help the readers to be more beneficial from the paper.
1. The abstract is written as a general description. It is worthwhile to describe your main achievements, and results in quantitative and qualitative.
2. In introduction, line 14, the author described GO as a type of Graphene appropriately. However, there are another type of graphene (GNP) which has a good conductivity and mechanical properties as reinforcement in rubber materials. Recent advances in this technology can be described by referring to the references below.
[a] Sensitivity, influence of the strain rate and reversibility of GNPs based multiscale composite materials for high sensitive strain sensors. Composites Science and Technology, 155, 100-107.
[b] Structural health monitoring of defective single lap adhesive joints using graphene nanoplatelets. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 55, 119-130.
[c] Electrically conductive functionalized-GNP/epoxy based composites: From nanocomposite to multiscale glass fibre composite material. Composites Part B: Engineering, 98, 49-55.
[d] Piezocapacitive sensing for structural health monitoring in adhesive joints." In 2019 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), pp. 1-5. IEEE, 2019.
3. In introduction the authors say “Zhang Jihua et al. [12] analyzed the properties of conductive silicone rubber filled with carbon black via thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)”. Which properties have been investigated? What was the main output?
4. It is recommended the authors show the electromechanical set-up in section 2-3.
5. The authors say “When the material temperature is lower than the Tg value, the material is brittle, and when the material temperature is higher than the Tg value, the material is highly elastic” A suitable reference needs to be indicated for this sentence.
6. The authors need to describe with more details on how the tensile strength has been reduced by increasing the carbon fibre content between 1.5 to 25 wt.%. What is the change of tensile strength of composite containing CF between the 0.1 to 1.5 wt.%?
For example, Yu et al. [e] found that the addition of carbon nanotubes served to increase the strength of polymer composite and identified the concentration of nanotubes more than 1.0 wt.% resulted in a decrease in polymer composite strength.
[e] Wedge test of carbon‐nanotube‐reinforced epoxy adhesive joints. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 111(6), 2957-2962.
[f]Effects of nanoparticles on nanocomposites mode I and II fracture: A critical review. Progress in Adhesion and Adhesives, 3, 391-411
7. . Use bullets in Conclusions to emphasise the main achievements of the paper
Minor editing of English language required
Author Response
Referee: 2
Comments:
1.The abstract is written as a general description. It is worthwhile to describe your main achievements, and results in quantitative and qualitative.
2.In introduction, line 14, the author described GO as a type of Graphene appropriately. However, there are another type of graphene (GNP) which has a good conductivity and mechanical properties as reinforcement in rubber materials. Recent advances in this technology can be described by referring to the references below.
[a] Sensitivity, influence of the strain rate and reversibility of GNPs based multiscale composite materials for high sensitive strain sensors. Composites Science and Technology, 155, 100-107.
[b] Structural health monitoring of defective single lap adhesive joints using graphene nanoplatelets. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 55, 119-130.
[c] Electrically conductive functionalized-GNP/epoxy based composites: From nanocomposite to multiscale glass fibre composite material. Composites Part B: Engineering, 98, 49-55.
[d] Piezocapacitive sensing for structural health monitoring in adhesive joints." In2019 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), pp. 1-5. IEEE, 2019.
3.In introduction the authors say “Zhang Jihua et al. [12] analyzed the properties of conductive silicone rubber filled with carbon black via thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)”. Which properties have been investigated? What was the main output?
4.It is recommended the authors show the electromechanical set-up in section 2-3.
5.The authors say “When the material temperature is lower than the Tg value, the material is brittle, and when the material temperature is higher than the Tg value, the material is highly elastic” A suitable reference needs to be indicated for this sentence.
6.The authors need to describe with more details on how the tensile strength has been reduced by increasing the carbon fibre content between 1.5 to 25 wt.%. What is the change of tensile strength of composite containing CF between the 0.1 to 1.5 wt.%?
For example, Yu et al. [e] found that the addition of carbon nanotubes served to increase the strength of polymer composite and identified the concentration of nanotubes more than 1.0 wt.% resulted in a decrease in polymer composite strength.
[e] Wedge test of carbon‐nanotube‐reinforced epoxy adhesive joints. Journal of Applied Polymer Science,111(6), 2957-2962.
[f]Effects of nanoparticles on nanocomposites mode I and II fracture: A critical review. Progress in Adhesion and Adhesives,3, 391-411
7.. Use bullets in Conclusions to emphasise the main achievements of the paper
Questions:
1.The abstract is written as a general description. It is worthwhile to describe your main achievements, and results in quantitative and qualitative.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. For the quantitative and qualitative questions in the abstract, the following content is added to the abstract:
When the carbon fiber filling amount is 7.5wt%, the volume resistivity of carbon fiber conductive silicone rubber is 9.5x104Ω·cm, the surface resistance is 2.88x105Ω, and the tensile strength reaches 2.12Mpa. When the graphene filling amount is 5.5wt%, graphite The volume resistivity of alkene conductive silicone rubber is 8.7x104Ω cm, and the surface resistance is 2.4x106Ω. When the filling amount of carbon nanotubes is 1.25wt%, the volume resistivity of carbon nanotube conductive silicone rubber is 1.34x104Ω cm, and the surface resistance is 1.0 x106Ω.
2.In introduction, line 14, the author described GO as a type of Graphene appropriately. However, there are another type of graphene (GNP) which has a good conductivity and mechanical properties as reinforcement in rubber materials. Recent advances in this technology can be described by referring to the references below.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. Added the following:
R Moriche[5] found that graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have been widely studied as nano-enhanced materials for enhanced mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Since it is a 2D material, the electrical network created through the epoxy matrix is more strain sensitive than 1D and 0D materials.
- In introduction the authors say “Zhang Jihua et al. [12] analyzed the properties of conductive silicone rubber filled with carbon black via thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)”. Which properties have been investigated? What was the main output?
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The content is modified as follows:
Zhang Jihua et al [10] used thermogravimetric analysis and DSC to analyze the performance of carbon black-filled conductive silicone rubber, and studied its conductive mechanism. The results show that the content of acetylene carbon black has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of conductive silicone rubber. After the content exceeds 45 phr, the volume resistivity does not change significantly.
4.It is recommended the authors show the electromechanical set-up in section 2-3.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The content related to 2.2 main instruments and equipment has been added, as follows:
2.2 Main instruments and equipment
This experiment needs to use a variety of different test equipment, mainly including ultrasonic disperser, constant temperature drying oven, electronic balance and scanning electron microscope, etc. The specific models of some devices are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1 Main experimental equipment
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Name |
Manufacturer |
Model |
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mechanical stirrer |
Suzhou Yinganyang Instrument Co., Ltd. |
JJ-1 |
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Ultrasonic Disperser |
Ningbo Xinzhi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. |
Scientz-750F |
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Electric blast drying oven |
Shanghai Yiheng Technology Co., Ltd. |
BPG-9050BH |
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Electrometer |
Tektronix Technology Co., Ltd. |
Keithley 6514 |
|
scanning electron microscope |
Hitachi |
Hitachi SU8010 |
|
X-ray diffractometer |
PANalytical Company |
Empyrean |
|
Raman spectrometer |
Renishaw company |
RM1000 |
|
Thermogravimetric Analyzer |
German NETZSCH Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
TG 209 F1 |
|
Instron Electronics Universal Materials Testing Machine |
Instron Corporation |
68TM-10 |
5.The authors say “When the material temperature is lower than the Tg value, the material is brittle, and when the material temperature is higher than the Tg value, the material is highly elastic” A suitable reference needs to be indicated for this sentence.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The cited literature is as follows:
Generally, we call the transition of a polymer material from a glass state to a high elastic state a glass transition, and its temperature is called a glass transition temperature. When the material temperature is lower than the glass transition temperature, the material is vitrified brittle, and when the temperature is higher than the glass transition temperature, the material is highly elastic[32]
[32]Hu Y,Zhang H,Li F,et al.Investigation into electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of silicone rubber filled with Ag-coated cenosphere particles[J].Polymer Testing,2010,29(5):609-612.
6.The authors need to describe with more details on how the tensile strength has been reduced by increasing the carbon fibre content between 1.5 to 25 wt.%. What is the change of tensile strength of composite containing CF between the 0.1 to 1.5 wt.%?
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The modified content is as follows:
M Imiela et al. [24] found that adding too much carbon fiber will reduce the mechanical properties of the composite. When the carbon fiber filling amount is 1.5wt%, the tensile performance is the best, the tensile strength can reach 2.81Mpa, the elongation at break can reach 11.13 times, and the elastic modulus is 0.67MPa. When the carbon fiber filling amount is in the range of 1.5wt% to 5.5wt%, the mechanical properties of conductive silicone rubber decline rapidly, because part of the carbon fiber filler is mixed with the silicone rubber solution to form conductive silicone rubber, and the other part will be precipitated into the mixed solution during the molding preparation stage. The lower layer of the solution forms a layer of carbon fiber-like conductive film. The carbon fiber filling is in the range of 5.5wt%~7.5wt%, the tensile strength exceeds 2Mpa, the elastic modulus exceeds 0.4MPa, and the mechanical properties are good. X Zhao et al. [25] found that within a certain range, as the CF loading increases, the CF is not always surrounded by the SR matrix, which makes the interaction between the filler and the matrix weaker. Therefore, both tensile strength and elongation at break decrease. When the carbon fiber filling exceeds 7.5wt%, the mechanical properties tend to decline rapidly. When the carbon fiber mass fraction reaches 25.5wt%, the tensile strength is 1.81Mpa, the elongation at break is 8.59 times, and the elastic modulus is 0.36MPa. It can be seen that as the mass ratio increases, the tensile strength of carbon fiber decreases by 1Mpa, the elastic modulus decreases by 0.34Mpa, and the elongation at break decreases from 11.15 times to 8.59 times. At this time, the carbon fiber-containing conductive silicone rubber still has good tensile strength. extensibility. Therefore, under the experimental conditions of a single carbon fiber-filled silicone rubber, the carbon fiber conductive silicone rubber with a mass ratio of 5.5-7.5wt% has better mechanical properties. The tensile strength of the spherical boron nitride 10/pitch-based carbon fiber 20/silicone rubber (s-BN10/PCF20/SR) prepared by literature [26] is 1.08 MPa, which is significantly lower than that of the 7.5wt% carbon brazing fiber conductive silicon prepared in this paper. The tensile strength of the rubber (2.12 MPa), which shows that the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber conductive silicone rubber prepared in this paper are better.
7.. Use bullets in Conclusions to emphasise the main achievements of the paper
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The added bullets are as follows:
(1) Raman spectroscopy test analysis shows that: compared with single carbon-based nano-conductive silicone rubber, the blended carbon nano-conductive silicone rubber has better interfacial bonding force and dispersion between the matrix;
(2) Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis shows that the heat resistance of blended carbon nano conductive silicone rubber is better than that of single filled conductive silicone rubber and pure silicone rubber, and the initial decomposition temperature reaches 476.8 °C;
(3) Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis found that the glass transition temperature of the blended carbon nanoconductive silicone rubber is not much different from that of a single carbon nanoconductive silicone rubber, both are around -50°C, which can meet most of the pressure requirements. The working environment of the sensitive resistor;
(4) XRD results show that all fillers are uniformly dispersed during ultrasonic dispersion, and have strong interfacial force;
(5) Tensile conductivity test shows that the effective elongation rates of carbon fiber, graphene, and carbon nanotube conductive silicone rubber are 100%, 140%, and 300% respectively, and the maximum effective elongation rate of blended carbon nanoconductive silicone rubber is as high as 520%, and its resistance fluctuation range is smaller than that of a single carbon-based nano-conductive silicone rubber, and has better resistance and pressure-sensitive characteristics.
"Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
In this paper, authors have discussed different properties of conducting silicone rubber composites made by CNF, CNT, and Graphene. Generally filler reinforce the rubber. However in your case it is decreasing. In my belief, the composite will not have any industrial value. Also, the paper looks like a data presentation. Therefore I cannot recommend for publication. My few suggestions as
1. The critical role of multiple fillers in rubber composites should be discussed with some relevant references in the introduction. What is the motivation of this paper? Moreover the introduction should be greatly improved.
2. What is the role of AB glue? What is the curing reagent?
3. In page 4, both ε and V represents drawing rate. Please check.
4. Use either figure or table to represent data.
5. The mechanical properties drastically fall with the addition of fillers. Therefore the composite will be less usable.
Author Response
Referee: 3
Comments:
1.The critical role of multiple fillers in rubber composites should be discussed with some relevant references in the introduction. What is the motivation of this paper? Moreover the introduction should be greatly improved.
2.What is the role of AB glue? What is the curing reagent?
3.In page 4, both ε and V represents drawing rate. Please check.
4.Use either figure or table to represent data.
5.The mechanical properties drastically fall with the addition of fillers. Therefore the composite will be less usable.
Questions:
1.The critical role of multiple fillers in rubber composites should be discussed with some relevant references in the introduction. What is the motivation of this paper?
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. We divide the introduction of carbon black, carbon fiber, graphene and carbon nanotube related composite materials in the introduction into a separate category, and add some related introductions of composite materials. Modify as follows:
At present, the mainstream is to use carbon-based fillers to conduct research to prepare conductive silicone rubber. The main carbon-based fillers include carbon black, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon fibers. In terms of carbon black research, Zhang Jihua et al. [10] used thermogravimetric analysis and DSC to analyze the performance of carbon black-filled conductive silicone rubber, and studied its conductive mechanism. The results show that the content of acetylene carbon black has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of conductive silicone rubber. After the content exceeds 45 phr, the volume resistivity does not change significantly. Wu Juying et al [11] prepared carbon black/BR, carbon black/NR and carbon black/methyl vinyl silicone rubber by mechanical blending method. The study showed that the same conductive filler is affected by different substrates and has different percolation values. P. Ghosh et al. [12] used carbon black as a conductive filler to compound with silicone rubber, and found that when the filling amount of the conductive filler was 15-30, the percolation effect occurred, which significantly enhanced the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the composite material.In terms of carbon fiber research, Zuo Zhewei et al. [13] used high-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber as a matrix to compare and fill three lengths of carbon fibers, and concluded that the percolation value of carbon fiber-filled conductive silicone rubber is related to the length of carbon fibers. Zhu Qinghua [18] took carbon fiber/silicone rubber as the experimental object, and improved the dispersion of carbon fiber through solvent dilution and ultrasonic dispersion. Ding et al. [14] successfully prepared silicone rubber composites with vertically oriented magnetic carbon fibers (o-MCF/SR) by casting molding and filler orientation under a uniform magnetic field in a vacuum environment. The results show that the in-plane thermal conductivity of the o-MCF/SR composite exhibits an unusual power-law increase with increasing MCF loading.In terms of graphene research, Mu Xueting et al. [15] used room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber as a matrix, graphite and graphene nano-flakes as conductive fillers, and prepared conductive silicone rubber by curing under pressure at room temperature. The experimental results showed that with the increase of graphene, The resistance gradually increases. L. Wang et al. [16] assembled conductive silicone rubber layer by layer through graphene oxide and silicone rubber. When the number of layers is 30, the conductivity is 0.82S/m. Jinliang Zhao et al. [17] prepared conductive and heat-dissipating silicone rubber by compounding graphene-oxide weather gel beads (rGOAB) and denatured material (PCM) with silicone rubber. Tiejun Ge et al. [18] prepared FGO/HPDMS composites by mixing FGO synthesized by room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber and graphene oxide (GO) to treat dicyclohethane-4,4+ diisocyanate (HMDI). The thermal conductivity and mechanical properties have been significantly improved. Chun-Yu Chen et al. [19] prepared conductive silicone rubber by mixing graphene nanomaterials (HGNS) with silicone rubber. Its microwave absorption rate is greater than that of other graphene composite materials.In the research of carbon nanotubes, Pan Song et al. [20] grafted carbon black free radicals with modifiers and reacted with carbon nanotubes to form carbon black carbon nanotube nanofillers. Lin et al. [21] prepared methyl vinyl silicone rubber-based composites filled with alumina (Al2O3) powder and carbon nanotubes by a conventional mechanical blending method. The results show that the thermal conductivity, Young's modulus and hardness of the composite material are significantly improved by surface modification of Al2O3 powder and adding a small amount of carbon nanotubes. Chen et al. [22] introduced a facile strategy to fabricate polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/aligned nickel particles (Ni) composites under low magnetic field. The study showed that the compressive moduli of the composite with 0.23 vol% CNT and 3.93 vol% Ni particles were ∼4.93 and ∼3.66 MPa in the directions parallel (X direction) and perpendicular to the Ni particle alignment direction (Y direction), respectively . The above analysis shows that different conductive fillers and dispersion methods of conductive fillers have a great influence on conductive silicone rubber. Carbon fiber, graphene and carbon nanotube conductive fillers can significantly improve the performance of conductive silicone rubber.
The research motivation of this paper is as follows:
It can be concluded from domestic and foreign literature that carbon fiber, graphene and carbon nanotubes can improve the performance of conductive silicone rubber. At present, most of the literature focuses on the research on the influence of two carbon-based fillers on the performance of conductive silicone rubber. The conductive silicone rubber has not been prepared by blending three kinds of carbon-based fillers. Therefore, in this paper, three kinds of conductive fillers such as carbon fiber, graphene and carbon nanotubes are blended to prepare conductive silicone rubber, and the effect of filler blending on conductive silicone rubber is studied. performance impact.
2.What is the role of AB glue? What is the curing reagent?
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The function and introduction of AB glue are as follows:
AB glue is cross-linked and cured by this glue (component A, which is the basic component) and curing agent (component B), which can be cured at room temperature.
3.In page 4, both ε and V represents drawing rate. Please check.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The explanations for ε and v are as follows:
ε represents the stretch rate, and v represents the stretching speed.
4.Use either figure or table to represent data.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. The data in our paper have been presented in graphs and tables. See the attached document for details.
5.The mechanical properties drastically fall with the addition of fillers. Therefore the composite will be less usable.
Response: Thank you for your suggestion. Aiming at the problem of the decrease in mechanical properties after adding fillers, the explanation is as follows:
After the filler was added, due to the van der Waals force between particles, particle aggregation occurred, which made the composite system appear weak points, affected the overall mechanical properties of conductive silicone rubber and gradually declined. Although the mechanical properties decreased, it did not decrease much. The tensile strength of silicone rubber filled with carbon filler was 1.5wt%~ 7.5wt%, and decreased from 2.81Mpa to 2.12Mpa. The tensile strength was still relatively large, which was greater than that in reference [26], and the elastic modulus only decreased from 0.67Mpa to 0.38Mpa.The tensile strength of silicone rubber filled with graphene ranges from 1.5 wt% to 3.5 wt%, and the tensile strength decreases from 1.26387Mpa to 1.08860Mpa, which is higher than that of conductive silicone rubber prepared in reference [28]. The tensile strength of silicone rubber filled with carbon nanotubes decreases from 3.10Mpa to 1.30Mpa in reference [31] when it ranges from 0.2 wt% to 2.5 wt%. This shows that although the mechanical properties of the conductive silicone rubber are decreased after the filler is added, it does not affect the normal use of its mechanical properties and can meet the normal application standards. In particular, the composite conductive silicone rubber has excellent conductivity, and the usability of the composite material will not be reduced.
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Authors have answered all my questions. The manuscript can be considered for publication.
Author Response
Thank you
Reviewer 2 Report
According to my previous comments (No. 2 and No.6), all suggested references should be described and cited in the manuscript accordingly.
Author Response
Thank you
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper can be accepted in present form as authors improved significantly than previous version.
Author Response
Thank you
