Studying the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of irradiated natural rubber latex/magnetite nanocomposite

Abstract

Nanocomposites have received voluminous interest due to the combination of unique properties of organic and inorganic component in one material. In this class, magnetic polymer nanocomposites are of particular interest because of the combination of excellent magnetic properties, stability, and good biocompatibility. This paper reports the preparation and characterization of nanocomposites films based on natural rubber in latex state (NRL) loaded with different concentrations of semiconducting magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) (MNPs) (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30%). NRL (100%) and NRL/Fe3O4 nanocomposites were prepared by solution casting technique then, exposed to various irradiation doses (50, 70, 100 kGy).The nanocomposite’s morphological, and physical properties were investigated through various spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier-transformed infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopies. The mechanical properties, including the tensile strength and elongation at break percentage (E b %) of the nanocomposites were also studied and compared with the 100% NRL films. Based on the results obtained from the mechanical study, it is found that the NRL/20% Fe3O4 nanocomposite film exhibited the highest tensile strength at 100 kGy. On the other hand, based on the conductivity study, it is found that, NRL/Fe3O4 nanocomposite with 10% magnetite exhibit the highest conductivity as the content of magnetite plays an important and effective role based on the high and homogeneous dispersity.