Improving Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes in Natural Rubber by Using Waterjet-Produced Rubber Powder as a Carrier

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT), as reinforcing agents in natural rubber (NR), has gained a large amount of consideration due to their excellent properties. Uniform dispersion of CNT is the key to obtaining high-performance NR nanocomposites. In this contribution, a novel ultrasonic grinding dispersion method of CNT with waterjet-produced rubber powder (WPRP) as a carrier is proposed. Microscopic morphologies show that a Xanthium-like structure with WPRP as the core and CNTs as the spikes is formed, which significantly improves the dispersion of CNT in the NR matrix and simultaneously strengthens the bonding of the WPRP and NR matrix. With the increase in the WPRP loading, the Payne effect of CNT/WPRP/NR composites decreases, indicating the effectiveness of the dispersion method. The vulcanization MH and ML value and crosslinking density increase with the increase in the WPRP loading, whereas the scorch time and cure time exhibit a decreasing trend when the WPRP loading is less than 15 phr. It is found that the CNT/WPRP/NR composites filled with 5 phr WPRP have a 4% increase in 300% modulus, a 3% increase in tensile strength, while a 5% decrease in Akron abrasion loss, compared to CNT/NR composites.

Carbon nanotube filled rubber nanocomposites

“…The research findings highlight the remarkable performance enhancements achieved in CNT/WPRP/NR composites, particularly when loaded with 5 phr WPRP. These composites exhibit a 4% increase in the 300% modulus, a 3% boost in tensile strength, and a 5% reduction in Akron abrasion loss compared to CNT/ NR composites (Guo et al, 2023). Scheme of ultrasonic grinding dispersion method for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using waterjet-produced rubber powder (WPRP).…”

Improved Heat Dissipation of NR/SBR-Based Tire Tread Compounds via Hybrid Fillers of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube and Carbon Black

“…It is noteworthy that this method obviates the necessity for highly toxic and expensive organic solvents, thereby establishing itself as an ecologically sustainable alternative to solution mixing, as elucidated [22,27]. Nonetheless, the substantial volume of deionized water employed for the dispersion of CNT results in the dilution of the latex, inducing a propensity for CNTs to settle within the diluted latex medium and, consequently, giving rise to a secondary agglomeration phenomenon [28,29]. The preparation of nanocomposites based on NR has been accomplished through a latex stage mixing technique featuring the incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by Anoop Anand K. SWNTs were initially dispersed in water using ultrasonication and subsequently stabilized through the introduction of a surfactant.…”