Benefits of hybrid nano-filler networking between organically modified Montmorillonite and carbon nanotubes in natural rubber: Experiments and theoretical interpretations

Electron Spin Resonanceon Hybrid Nanocomposites Based on Natural Rubber

“…For the composites containing the hybrid nanofiller there are two distinct mechanisms with different activation energies. Similar behavior of NR nanocomposites was found in our previous study [13]. Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that the linear relationship that occurs below ~60 °C (but still well above the bulk glass transition temperature of the polymer system) corresponds to the apparent filler networking energies and the other, occurring above ~60 °C, is connected to melting of the stearic acid, used to expand the galleries of OMt layers.…”

“…Although many ESR investigations on carbon nanotubes have been reported [3,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], only a few ESR studies on carbon nanotubes dispersed in polymeric matrices have been published [8,11,13,14]. In these studies, based on the appearance of the ESR spectra on individual and agglomerated carbon nanotubes, it was concluded that, if the dispersion of the nanotubes is good, the resonance line will present a symmetrical shape, and if the nanotubes are aggregated and there is not a good dispersion in the polymer matrix a Dysonian-like resonance shape will appear [8].…”

“…In our recent publication [13] we investigated NR based hybrid nanocomposites that contained 6 phr multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and various quantities of EOMt. The obtained ESR spectra had a symmetrical Lorentzian shape for all nanocomposites, indicating good dispersion of the MWCNT throughout the NR matrix, regardless of the EOMt presence and quantity.…”

High‐performance hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber composites by in situ interfacial design of nanoclays

“…Rubbers are well known as necessary materials, widely used to manufacture tires, seals and dampers . However, pure rubbers are mechanically soft and weak, which severely blocks their applications, and thus they are necessarily reinforced and toughened by adding various nanofillers such as carbon black, silica, nanoclays and novel nanocarbons . Unfortunately, nanofillers bring significant constraints to the rubber in terms of nanofiller dispersion/aggregation, interfacial regulation and processing difficulty .…”

“…1 However, pure rubbers are mechanically soft and weak, which severely blocks their applications, and thus they are necessarily reinforced and toughened by adding various nanofillers such as carbon black, silica, nanoclays and novel nanocarbons. [2][3][4][5][6] Unfortunately, nanofillers bring significant constraints to the rubber in terms of nanofiller dispersion/aggregation, interfacial regulation and processing difficulty. 7 From this aspect, the interfacial interaction between filler and rubber matrix becomes a critical factor to determine the ultimate properties of rubber composites.…”