Sonication effect on the mechanical properties of MWCNTs reinforced natural rubber

Abstract

This study investigated the sonication effect on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) nanocomposites reinforced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The TPNR nanocomposites were prepared using the melt blending method from polypropylene, natural rubber and liquid natural rubber as a compatibilizer, respectively, with 1% of MWCNTs. The results showed that a good dispersion on nanotubes was achieved by sonication. An optimal sonication time of 1 h was found to produce nanocomposites with maximum tensile and impact strength. The Young’s modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength increased by almost 11%, 21%, 43% and 50%, respectively as compared with a pristine TPNR sample. The effect of sonication was also confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis, it showed that the storage modulus E′, loss modulus E″ and glass transition temperature ( Tg) also increased for all MWCNTs reinforced samples. Scanning electron micrographs confirm the effect of good dispersion of MWCNTs and their interfacial bonding in TPNR after sonication.

Role of sonication time on thermal behaviour and dynamic mechanical analysis of NiZn ferrite incorporated PLA/LNR nanocomposite

“…Generally, it can be seen here that NiZn ferrite dispersion in the matrix was comparatively good for nanocomposite samples with 1 and 2 h of ultrasonic treatment (figure 1d-g) than the samples without ultrasonic treatment (figure 1b and c). The result of good dispersion was because of the good interaction and strong interfacial bonding between nanoparticles and matrix in which the created uniform crosslinking network in the matrix is crucial for efficiently transferring stress from the matrix to the fillers, as agreed in the study of Tarawneh et al [9].…”

“…Yuhana et al [22] stated that the longer time of ultrasonic treatment may cause bubbles to form in the liquid mixture (LNR in this case) and thus, leaving voids in the composite samples. The formation of agglomeration in the nanocomposites resulted from the self-entanglement among the nanoparticles due to the high collision frequency in the polymer matrix when the sonication time was too long [9].…”

“…In order to minimize the agglomeration problem, the method of mixing or incorporating the nanoparticles into the polymer matrix is one of the important factors to achieve good distribution and dispersion of nanofiller in the resultant composite. The use of ultrasonic treatment with the purpose to enhance the distribution of nanoparticles within polymer matrix has been used in several case studies [6,8,9]. reported that a good dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the matrix of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) was obtained with the incorporation of ultrasonication treatment.…”

Assessment of mechanical performance, thermal stability and water resistance of novel conductive poly(lactic acid)/modified natural rubber blends with low loading of polyaniline

“…However, the preparation of PLA/PANI using a melt‐blending technique is still considered as a new approach in studies of conductive biodegradable blends. To the best of our knowledge, the research work on the preparation of PANI powder/PLA/LNR blends is as yet limited, especially reports related to the incorporation of LNR and nanoparticles assisted by ultrasonic treatment . Due to the good thermoplastic processability, degradation behavior and mechanical and biological performance, PLA is widely used as a biomaterial and applied in biomedical areas .…”

Hybrid Nanocarbons Reinforced Rubber Nanocomposites: Detailed insights about Mechanical, Dynamical Mechanical Properties, Payne and Mullin Effects

“…They also observed maximum improvement in tensile strength at around 1 wt% loading of MWCNT in NR, whereas, elongation at break showed no improvement on MWCNT loading in NR. Tarawnch et al, [24] studied effect of sonication on the mechanical properties of TPNR nanocomposites reinforced by 1 wt % of MWCNT. The Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength increased by almost 11%, 21%, 43% and 50%, respectively as compared with a pristine due to good dispersion achieved after optimal sonication time of 1 hour.…”