Polymers may absorb fluids from their surroundings via the natural phenomenon of swelling. Dimensional changes due to swelling can affect the function of polymer components, such as in the case of seals, microfluidic components and electromechanical sensors. An understanding of the swelling behavior of polymers and means for controlling it can improve the design of polymer components, for example, for the previously mentioned applications. Carbon-based fillers have risen in popularity to be used for the property enhancement of resulting polymer composites. The present investigation focuses on the effects of three carbon-based nano-fillers (graphene nano-platelets, carbon black, and graphene nano-scrolls) on the dimensional changes of polydimethylsiloxane composites due to swelling when immersed in certain organic solvents. For this study, a facile and expedient methodology comprised of optical measurements in conjunction with digital image analysis was developed as the primary experimental technique to quantify swelling dimensional changes of the prepared composites. Other experimental techniques assessed polymer cross-linking densities and elastic mechanical properties of the various materials. The study revealed that the addition of certain carbon-based nano-fillers increased the overall swelling of the composites. The extent of swelling further depended on the organic solvent in which the composites were immersed in. Experimental findings are contrasted with published models for swelling prediction, and the role of filler morphology on swelling behavior is discussed.

聚合物可能会通过膨胀的自然现象从周围吸收液体。由于膨胀引起的尺寸变化会影响聚合物组件的功能，例如在密封件、微流体组件和机电传感器的情况下。了解聚合物的溶胀行为和控制它的方法可以改进聚合物组分的设计，例如，用于前面提到的应用。碳基填料越来越受欢迎，用于增强所得聚合物复合材料的性能。本研究的重点是三种碳基纳米填料（石墨烯纳米片、炭黑和石墨烯纳米卷）对聚二甲基硅氧烷复合材料由于浸入某些有机溶剂时膨胀而引起的尺寸变化的影响。对于这项研究，开发了一种简便而方便的方法，该方法包括光学测量和数字图像分析，作为量化所制备复合材料溶胀尺寸变化的主要实验技术。其他实验技术评估了各种材料的聚合物交联密度和弹性机械性能。研究表明，添加某些碳基纳米填料会增加复合材料的整体膨胀。溶胀程度进一步取决于复合材料浸入的有机溶剂。实验结果与已发表的溶胀预测模型进行对比，并讨论了填料形态对溶胀行为的作用。