Highly enhanced electrical and mechanical properties of methyl methacrylate modified natural rubber filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Developing conductive networks in a polymer matrix with a low percolation threshold and excellent mechanical properties is desired for soft electronics applications. In this work, natural rubber (NR) functionalized with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was prepared for strong interfacial interactions with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), resulting in excellent performance of the natural rubber nanocomposites. The MWCNT and methyl methacrylate functional groups gave good filler dispersion, conductivity and tensile properties. The filler network in the matrix was studied with microscopy and from its non-linear viscoelasticity. The Maier-Göritze approach revealed that MWCNT network formation was favored in the NR functionalized with PMMA, with reduced electrical and mechanical percolation thresholds. The obvious improvement in physical performance of MWCNT/methyl methacrylate functionalized natural rubber nanocomposites was caused by interfacial interactions and reduced filler agglomeration in the NR matrix. The modification of NR with poly(methyl methacrylate) and MWCNT filler was demonstrated as an effective pathway to enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of natural rubber nanocomposites.     

Nanoalloy Based on Clays: Intercalated‐Exfoliated Layered Silicate in High Performance Elastomer

A novel method is described for the preparation of nanocomposites comprising a high performance rubber for tire application and layered silicates clay. In this work nanocomposites of solution‐styrene butadiene rubber (S‐SBR) with montmorillonite layered silicate were prepared with carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR), a polar rubber, as a compatibilizer. A sufficient amount of organomodified layered silicate was loaded in carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) and this compound was blended as a master batch in the S‐SBR. Mixed intercalated/exfoliated morphologies in the nanocomposite are evinced by X‐ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopy. Dynamic mechanical analysis also supports the compatibility of the composites. A good dispersion of the layered silicate in the S‐SBR matrix was reflected from the physical properties of the nanocomposites, especially in terms of tensile strength and high elongation properties.     

Influence concentration of modifying agent on properties of natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposites

Sodium-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) nanoclay was modified with different concentrations of octadecylamine organic modifying agent at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 times the CEC of Na-MMT. Influence of concentration of modifying agent on properties of the organoclays and natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposites was investigated. It was found that the optimum concentration of modifying agent was 1.5 times the CEC of Na-MMT. That is, at this concentration, larger d-spacing of organoclay particles and higher degree of clay dispersion in natural rubber matrix were observed. Larger interlayer d-spacing also caused enhancement of the mechanical properties of the NR/organoclay nanocomposites. Additionally, the NR/organoclay nanocomposites with higher concentration of modifying agent exhibited faster curing reaction with higher crosslink density. Furthermore, the organoclays with larger d-spacing and higher degree of dispersion in the natural rubber matrix exhibited enhancement of the mechanical and dynamic properties and thermal stability of natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposites.     

Characterization of kaolinite/emulsion-polymerization styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR) nanocomposite prepared by latex blending method: Dynamic mechanic properties and mechanism

The latex blending method was chosen to prepare Kaolinite/emulsion-polymerization styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR) nanocomposite to improve the interaction between filler particles and rubber matrix chains. The influences of kaolinite particles size, filler contents, and flocculants types on dynamic mechanical properties and the relative reinforcement mechanism of the prepared composite were systematic investigated and proposed. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the kaolinite particles were finely dispersed into the rubber matrix and arranged in parallel orientation. The prepared nanocomposites by latex blending exhibited improved crosslinking characteristic and dynamic mechanical parameters. The KAl (SO₄)₂ flocculant presented obvious modification in dynamic properties and crosslinking characteristic. Both the decrease in kaolinite particle size and the increase in kaolinite content can greatly improve the storage modulus and reinforcing effect of kaolinite/ESBR nanocomposites. The dynamic reinforcement mechanism of kaolinite can be explained by filler network including a certain thickness of rubber shell on the surface of kaolinite lamellar structure and the aggregations network between kaolinite particles The optimum way to balance the dynamic properties of rubber nanocomposites at different temperatures is to reduce the surface difference between kaolinite and rubber matrix and the degree of filler-filler networking on the basis of kaolinite with nanoscale (nanometer effect).     

三元乙丙橡胶/蒙脱土纳米复合材料制备中硫化体系的比较

采用了熔融插层和两种硫化体系硫磺 促进剂和过氧化物体系制备了三元乙丙橡胶 蒙脱土纳米复合材料 ,并将这两种体系形成的纳米复合材料进行了形态、力学性能和光学性能的比较 ,同时采用Flory Rehner方程对它们的硫化行为进行了评价 .X射线衍射 (XRD)、透射电镜 (TEM)、力学性能和光学性能的测试结果表明 ,由硫磺硫化体系制备的纳米复合材料为不透明和剥离型 .其原有的d0 0 1 衍射峰消失 ,有序层被剥离成 10 0～ 2 0 0nm的片层均匀分散在EPDM基体中 ,其力学性能有了极大的提高 ;而过氧化物体系制备的纳米复合材料为半透明和插层型 .对两种体系的硫化行为的评价结果表明 ,随着有机蒙脱土加入量的增加 ,硫磺 促进剂硫化体系的t90 延长 ,交联密度减小 ,最大 最小转矩也变小 ;而过氧化物硫化体系的相应值却变化不大     

Aging properties of styrene-butadiene rubber nanocomposites filled with carbon black and rectorite

To better understand the effect of rectorite and carbon black (CB) on the aging performance of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), SBR/CB, SBR/CB/rectorite and SBR/rectorite nanocomposites with the same total filler loading were prepared. The microstructure of the three SBR nanocomposites was characterized by XRD, TEM and SEM. After thermal aging, oxygen-containing molecules were found to be formed in the SBR nanocomposites, as verified by FTIR analysis. The SBR/rectorite nanocomposite showed the highest aging coefficient and the lowest change rate of tensile strength and stress at 100% strain among the three SBR nanocomposites, indicating that the introduction of nano-dispersed rectorite layers can enhance the thermal aging resistance of the nanocomposites. For the SBR/CB/rectorite nanocomposite, the addition of CB helped to improve the interfacial compatibility between the filler and matrix, resulting in the best crack resistance as the aged SBR/CB/rectorite nanocomposite always demonstrated the least cracks on the surface during either stretching or bending experiments.     

胶乳接枝插层法天然橡胶/蒙脱土/聚丙烯酸丁酯纳米复合材料结构与性能的研究

采用胶乳接枝插层法,引入单体,制备了天然橡胶蒙脱土聚丙烯酸丁酯纳米复合材料.X射线衍射(XRD)和透射电镜(TEM)结果表明,在单体丙烯酸丁酯(BA)的作用下,改性蒙脱土片层被进一步撑大,并在橡胶基体中以纳米级分散;动态粘弹谱(DMA)测定结果显示,该体系的玻璃化温度有所提高,且60℃时具有较低的tanδ值,说明具有较小的滚动阻力;物理机械性能测试表明该方法有效地实现了对天然橡胶的补强.     

Structure,thermal conductivity,and thermal stability of bromobutyl rubber nanocomposites with ionic liquid modified graphene oxide

In this report, we demonstrate that both the thermal stability and the thermal conductivity of bromobutyl rubber (BIIR) nanocomposites could be improved by incorporating the ionic liquids (ILs) modified graphene oxide (GO-ILs) using a solution compounding method. The structure, thermal stability and thermal conductivity of this newly modified BIIR nanocomposites were systematically analyzed and studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of GO-ILs showed that ILs had been effectively intercalated into the interlayer of GO, which was found to be able to raise the exfoliation degree of GO. The increased exfoliation degree facilitated a good dispersion of GO-ILs in the BIIR matrix, as revealed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the GO-ILs/BIIR nanocomposites were also raised by the addition of GO-ILs, which indicates the strong interfacial adhesion between GO-ILs and the rubber. Most importantly, the incorporation of GO-ILs in the BIIR matrix could effectively improve the thermal stability of the rubber nanocomposites according to our thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The activation energy (E_a) of thermal decomposition of GO-ILs/BIIR nanocomposites increases with the addition of GO-ILs. Besides, the thermal conductivity of GO-ILs/BIIR nanocomposite with 4 wt% of GO-ILs had 1.3-fold improvement compared to that of unfilled BIIR.     

剥离型硅橡胶/黏土纳米复合材料研究

利用层状硅酸盐制备有机 无机纳米复合材料是当前人们研究的热点[1,2 ] ,这类材料具有较常规聚合物 无机填料复合材料无法比拟的优点 ,可以明显改善高分子材料的物理机械性能、热稳定性、气体阻隔性、阻燃性、导电性、光学性等 .一般来说 ,聚合物 层状硅酸盐 (Ｐｏｌｙｍｅｒｌａｙｅｒｅｄｓｉｌｉｃａｔｅ ,ＰＬＳ)纳米复合材料可分为插层型和剥离型两种类型 .插层型纳米复合材料即聚合物插入到硅酸盐层中 ,硅酸盐在近程仍保持原有的有序晶体结构 ,在远程则是无序的 .对弹性体而言 ,硅酸盐含量在插层型杂化材料中的含量比较高 ,力学性能…     

Ionic liquid functionalized graphene oxide for enhancement of styrene‐butadiene rubber nanocomposites

Ionic liquid 1‐allyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium chloride (AMICl) is used to fine‐tune the surface properties of graphene oxide (GO) sheets for fabricating ionic liquid functionalized GO (GO‐IL)/styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites. The morphology and structure of GO‐IL are characterized using atomic force microscope, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐vis spectra and Raman spectra. The interaction between GO and AMICl molecules as well as the effects of GO‐IL on the mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and solvent resistance of SBR are thoroughly studied. It is found that AMICl molecules can interact with GO via the combination of hydrogen bond and cation–π interaction. GO‐IL can be well‐dispersed in the SBR matrix, as confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. Therefore, the SBR nanocomposites incorporating GO‐IL exhibit greatly enhanced performance. The tensile strength, tear strength, thermal conductivity and solvent resistance of GO‐IL/SBR nanocomposite with 5 parts per hundred rubber GO‐IL are increased by 505, 362, 34 and 31%, respectively, compared with neat SBR. This method provides a new insight into the fabrication of multifunctional GO‐based rubber composites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Payne Effect and Weak Overshoot in Rubber Nanocomposites

Payne effect and its associated weak overshoot are of importance for understanding and regulating the softening of rubber nanocomposites under large amplitude oscillations.Herein,Payne effect in diverse filled vulcanizates is investigated for generalizing the common characteristics.Master curves of strain amplitude dependent storage modulus are created with respect to microscopic strain amplitude of the matrix,revealing a matrix-dominated elastic nonlinearity being independent of type and dispersity of filler,crosslinking density and sol fraction of matrix and filler-rubber interfacial interactions.However,carbonaceous fillers with higher affinity to the rubber matrices yield lower strain amplification and higher overshoot behavior in comparison with siliceous silica.The investigation would be illuminating for preparing rubber nanocomposites with optimized reinforcement and softening performances.     

Preparation and properties of natural rubber composites reinforced with pretreated carbon nanotubes

In order to achieve dramatic improvements in the performance of rubber materials, the development of carbon nanotube (CNT)‐reinforced rubber composites was attempted. The CNT/natural rubber (NR) nanocomposite was prepared through solvent mixing on the basis of pretreatment of CNTs. Thermal properties, vulcanization characteristics, and physical and mechanical properties of the CNT/NR nanocomposites were characterized in contrast to the carbon black (CB)/NR composite. Through the addition of the CNTs treated using acid bath followed by ball milling with HRH (hydrated silica, resorcinol, and hexamethylene tetramine) bonding systems, the crystallization melting peak in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves of NR weakened and the curing rate of NR slightly decreased. Meanwhile, the over‐curing reversion of CNT/NR nanocomposites was alleviated. The dispersion of the treated CNTs in the rubber matrix and interfacial bonding between them were rather good. The mechanical properties of the CNT‐reinforced NR showed a considerable increase compared to the neat NR and traditional CB/NR composite. At the same time, the CNT/NR nanocomposites exhibited better rebound resilience and dynamic compression properties. The storage modulus of the CNT/NR nanocomposites greatly exceeds that of neat NR and CB/NR composites under all temperature regions. The thermal stability of NR was also obviously improved with the addition of the treated CNTs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of epoxidized natural rubber as a compatibilizer in melt compounded natural rubber-organoclay nanocomposites

Nanocomposites containing natural rubber (NR) as matrix, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) as compatibilizer and organophilic layered clay (organoclay) as filler were produced in an internal mixer and cured using a conventional sulphuric system. The effects of ENR with 25 (ENR 25) and 50 mol% epoxidation (ENR 50), respectively, were compared at 5 and 10 parts per hundred rubber (phr) concentrations. The organoclay content was fixed at 2 phr. Cure characteristics, clay dispersion, (thermo)mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined and discussed. Incorporation of ENR and organoclay strongly affected the parameters which could be derived from Monsanto MDR measurements. Faster cure and increased crosslink density were attributed to changes in the activation/crosslinking pathway which was, however, not studied in detail. The organoclay was mostly intercalated according to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) results. The best clay dispersion was achieved by adding ENR 50. This was reflected in the stiffness of the nanocomposites derived from both dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and tensile tests. The tensile and tear strengths of the ENR 50 containing nanocomposites were also superior to the ENR 25 compatibilized and uncompatibilized stocks.     

Tailoring the Thermal Conductivity of Rubber Nanocomposites by Inorganic Systems: Opportunities and Challenges for Their Application in Tires Formulation

The development of effective thermally conductive rubber nanocomposites for heat management represents a tricky point for several modern technologies, ranging from electronic devices to the tire industry. Since rubber materials generally exhibit poor thermal transfer, the addition of high loadings of different carbon-based or inorganic thermally conductive fillers is mandatory to achieve satisfactory heat dissipation performance. However, this dramatically alters the mechanical behavior of the final materials, representing a real limitation to their application. Moreover, upon fillers’ incorporation into the polymer matrix, interfacial thermal resistance arises due to differences between the phonon spectra and scattering at the hybrid interface between the phases. Thus, a suitable filler functionalization is required to avoid discontinuities in the thermal transfer. In this challenging scenario, the present review aims at summarizing the most recent efforts to improve the thermal conductivity of rubber nanocomposites by exploiting, in particular, inorganic and hybrid filler systems, focusing on those that may guarantee a viable transfer of lab-scale formulations to technological applicable solutions. The intrinsic relationship among the filler’s loading, structure, morphology, and interfacial features and the heat transfer in the rubber matrix will be explored in depth, with the ambition of providing some methodological tools for a more profitable design of thermally conductive rubber nanocomposites, especially those for the formulation of tires.     

MORPHOLOGY,INTERFACIAL INTERACTION AND PROPERTIES OF STYRENE-BUTADIENE RUBBER/MODIFIED HALLOYSITE NANOTUBE NANOCOMPOSITES

 A natural nanotubular material, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), was introduced to prepare styrene-butadiene rubber/modified halloysite nanotube (SBR/m-HNT) nanocomposites. Complex of resorcinol and hexamethylenetetramine (RH) was used as the interfacial modifier. The structure, morphology and mechanical properties of SBR/m-HNT nanocomposites, especially the interfacial interactions, were investigated. SEM and TEM observations showed that RH can not only facilitate the dispersion and orientation of HNTs in SBR matrix at nanometer scale, but also enhance the interfacial combination between HNTs and rubber matrix. FTIR and XPS investigations confirmed that a number of hydrogen bonds were formed between the phenol hydroxyl groups in resorcinol-formaldehyde resin derived from RH and the oxygen atoms in Si―O bonds or hydroxyl groups on HNTs surfaces. The m-HNTs modified with RH have significant reinforcing effect on SBR vulcanizates. RH as a good interfacial modifier can remarkably improve mechanical properties of SBR/HNT composites. The substantial improvement of comprehensive properties for SBR/m-HNT nanocomposites can be attributed to good dispersion and orientation of HNTs in SBR matrix at nanometer scale and the enhanced interfacial interaction between HNTs and rubber matrix.     

Evaluation and modeling of the mechanical properties of graphite nanoplatelets based rubber nanocomposites for pressure sensing applications

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) compounds filled with different concentrations of graphite nanoplatelets were experimentally investigated. The stress–strain curves of the nanocomposites were studied, which suggest good filler–matrix adhesion. The large reinforcement effect of the filler followed the Guth model for non‐spherical particles. The effect of graphite nanoplatelets on the cyclic fatigue and hysteresis was also examined. The loading and unloading stress–strain relationships for any cycle were described by applying Ogden's model for rubber nanocomposites. With this model for incompressible materials, expressions may be developed to predict the stress–strain relationship for any given cycle. The dissipated energy increased with graphite nanoplatelets concentrations and decrease with number of cycles. The rate of damage accumulation becomes marginal after first ten cycles. The rate of damage increases as the amount of graphite nanoplatelets increase into the rubber matrix. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prevulcanized natural rubber latex/clay aerogel nanocomposites

Natural rubber latex (NR)/clay aerogel nanocomposites were produced via freeze-drying technique. The pristine clay (sodium montmorillonite) was introduced in 1-3 parts per hundred rubber (phr) in order to study the effect of clay in the NR matrix. The dispersion of the layered clay and the morphology of the nanocomposites were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Cure characteristics, thermal stability, and the crosslink density of thermal and microwave-cured NR and its composites were investigated. XRD patterns indicated that both intercalated and exfoliated structures were observed at loadings of 1-3 phr clay. SEM studies revealed that the clay aerogel structure was formed at 3 phr clay loading. The increment in Shore A hardness of nanocomposites compared with pure NR signified excellent polymer/filler interaction and the reinforcing effect of the clay to rubber matrix. This was supported by an increase in maximum rheometric torque and crosslink density. The crosslink density of clay-filled NR vulcanizate was found to increase with the pristine clay content in both thermal and microwave curing methods. However, microwave-cured 2 and 3 phr-filled NR vulcanizates exhibited higher crosslink density than those which were thermal-cured under the same curing temperature. In addition, thermal stability studies showed that pristine clay accelerated the decomposition of NR by showing a slight decrease in onset and peak decomposition temperatures along with clay content.     

Preparation of anionically polymerized butadiene-co-styrene copolymer-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Poly(butadiene-co-styrene) copolymer/multi-walled carbon nanotubes(SB-MWNTs) nanocomposites are prepared via terminating anionically synthesized living poly(butadiene-styryl)lithium with acyl chlorides on the MWNTs,which obtained from the carboxylation and acylation of the MWNTs.Results from the characterization of the SB-MWNTs nanocomposites,including its soluble in solvent,UV-vis and TEM of the dissolved samples,TGA and SEM of nanocomposites are presented and discussed respectively.MWNTs treated by SB can be easily distributed in the SBR(styrene-butadiene rubber) matrix.     

Natural rubber nanocomposites

Natural rubber obtained from a milky colloid (latex) extras mainly from the tree Hevea Brasiliensis is approximately 95% cis-polyisopren has important physical properties. Among its shortcomings are resistance to aging and thermal stability that limits its applications. The use of fillers in rubber is almost as old as the use of rubber itself. ZnO originally used for whiteness was the first “active” filler. In 1904 carbon black was discovered and since then became the most important powder used in rubber technology. Recently various mineral and organic nanoparticles are studied as reinforcements for elastomers in view -with minimum amounts – to achieve required properties. Natural rubber nanocomposites bring together mechanical and thermal properties from the rubber matrix and special characteristics of the nanoparticles.     

Stimuli‐responsive polymer nanocomposites based on styrene‐butadiene rubber and bacterial cellulose whiskers

Water‐induced mechanically adaptive rubber nanocomposites were prepared by mixing bacterial cellulose whiskers (BCWs) suspension with styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) latex, followed by evaporation method. The structure, morphology, dynamic mechanical properties, water stimuli‐responsive behavior, and biodegradability of SBR/BCWs nanocomposite films were investigated. The results showed that the hydrophilic whiskers had a significant reinforcement effect on the storage modulus of SBR matrix, which originated from the formation of a rigid three‐dimensional filler network within matrix by strong hydrogen bonding between whiskers. The SBR/BCWs nanocomposites showed pronounced water stimuli‐responsive behavior compared with neat SBR. The storage modulus of SBR/BCWs nanocomposite could be decreased by 99.2% after equilibrium water swelling. This remarkable water‐triggered modulus change is attributed to the disentanglement of BCWs network via competitive hydrogen bonding with water.