Polyisoprene latex graphene composites and methods of making them

A polyisoprene latex graphene composite composition comprising:

• polyisoprene latex bonded to or cross-linked with an at least partially reduced graphene oxide, and
• at least one stabilizer,
• wherein the polyisoprene latex graphene composite composition is prepared by a process comprising steps of:
• (1) preparing a composition of at least partially reduced graphene oxide by:
• i. adjusting the pH of a graphene oxide composition to between about 8 and 12;
• ii. adding to the pH adjusted graphene oxide composition at least one curing agent selected from the group consisting of:
• sulfur, dithiocarbamate, a thiuram, thiourea, a thiazole, a guanidine, a metal oxide, and a mixture thereof;
• and
• iii. mixing the composition from step ii by agitation at a temperature in a range of from about 20° C. to about 80° C. for a time period in a range of about 4 to about 24 hours;
• (2) preparing a stabilized polyisoprene latex composition by mixing a polyisoprene latex with the at least one stabilizer under agitation for a time period in a range of about 4 to about 24 hours;
• and
• (3) combining the at least partially reduced graphene oxide composition of step (1) with the stabilized polyisoprene latex composition prepared in step (2) and mixing.