Influence of Self Assembled Graphene Oxide/Nano Silica Hybrid Nanostructures in the Viscoelastic and Gas Barrier Properties of Natural Rubber Latex

ABSTRACT

This study investigates green, self‐assembled graphene oxide/nanosilica (GO/NS) hybrid nanostructures as multifunctional fillers for natural rubber (NR) latex composites. The hybrid combines the high‐aspect‐ratio, impermeable sheets of GO with nanosilica, yielding improved dispersion, reduced agglomeration, and stronger filler–matrix interactions compared with GO or nanosilica alone. We correlate this hybrid architecture with changes in nonlinear viscoelastic behavior (Payne effect) and enhanced gas‐barrier performance arising from a more tortuous permeation pathway. The NR GO/NS 3 formulation reduced oxygen and nitrogen permeation by 44.4% and 44.7%, respectively, versus neat NR, while exhibiting a better‐connected filler network inferred from TEM and spectroscopic characterization. Materials were prepared via an eco‐friendly latex‐stage coagulation route. These results demonstrate that GO/NS hybrids deliver superior viscoelastic–barrier synergy over single‐component fillers, offering a practical approach to improved sustainable rubber nanocomposites.