Elastomer Nanocomposites: Effect of Filler–Matrix and Filler–Filler Interactions

Abstract

The reinforcement of elastomers is essential in the rubber industry in order to obtain the properties required for commercial applications. The addition of active fillers in an elastomer usually leads to an improvement in the mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus and the rupture properties. Filled rubbers are also characterized by two specific behaviors related to energy dissipation known as the Payne and the Mullins effects. The Payne effect is related to non-linear viscoelastic behavior of the storage modulus while the Mullins or stress-softening effect is characterized by a lowering in the stress when the vulcanizate is extended a second time. Both effects are shown to strongly depend on the interfacial adhesion and filler dispersion. The basic mechanisms of reinforcement are first discussed in the case of conventional rubber composites filled with carbon black or silica usually present in the host matrix in the form of aggregates and agglomerates. The use of nanoscale fillers with isotropic or anisotropic morphologies is expected to yield much more improvement than that imparted by micron-scale fillers owing to the very large polymer–filler interface. This work reports some results obtained with three types of nanoparticles that can reinforce rubbery matrices: spherical, rod-shaped and layered fillers. Each type of particle is shown to impart to the host medium a specific reinforcement on account of its own structure and geometry. The novelty of this work is to emphasize the particular mechanical behavior of some systems filled with nanospherical particles such as in situ silica-filled poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks that display a strong polymer–filler interface and whose mechanical response is typical of double network elastomers. Additionally, the potential of carbon dots as a reinforcing filler for elastomeric materials is highlighted. Different results are reported on the reinforcement imparted by carbon nanotubes and graphenic materials that is far below their expected capability despite the development of various techniques intended to reduce particle aggregation and improve interfacial bonding with the host matrix.

Investigating the Synergistic Effects of Hybrid Nanofillers in Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites for Superior Mechanical and Electrical Performance

“…Statistical examination is conducted utilizing suitable apparatuses, such as investigation of change (ANOVA), to decide the centrality of the watched contrasts in mechanical and electrical properties among diverse nanocomposite details [16]. Post-hoc tests, such as Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD), are utilized to distinguish particular pairwise contrasts.…”

Unveiling the Influential Factors and Heavy Industrial Applications of Graphene Hybrid Polymer Composites

“…Graphene's 2D structure, nanometer size, and high surface area aid in the infusion capability to fabricate polymer composites with interlinked structures and expanded properties [42]. A well-maintained filler-matrix compatibility aids in realizing a uniform dispersion of the filler and an ordered structure with tailored properties [43][44][45]. Lu et al [46] conducted molecular dynamics simulations to compare the elastic properties of grapheneand fullerene-reinforced polymer composites.…”

Compatibilization of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Natural Rubber Nanocomposite by Modified Natural Rubber

“…In the case of NR-CNC5-ODNR and NR-CNC5-Si69 (Figure 8b), it can be seen that below −65 • C , the nanocomposites with the compatibilizer showed higher E ′ than NR-CNC5 nanocomposites. This may be due to a stronger filler-rubber network in nanocomposites with the compatibilizer compared to the NR-CNC5 nanocomposites without the compatibilizer [41,42]. When the temperature increases to ambient temperature or above, the mobility of the rubber chains increased, and filler-rubber interaction and the rubber network structure become dominant in E ′ [39].…”