Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Cellulose as Reinforcement in Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Composites

Abstract

In this study, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was produced with different concentrations of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and its surface charge, particle size, crystallinity and thermal properties were assessed. The obtained NCC was then used as reinforcement agent in nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites. The NCC was found to have a particle size less than 100 nm, with surface charge ranging from -0.697 mV to -14.8 mV. The crystallinity index decreased to 64.78% for the NCC obtained with 6M HCl. The NCC synthesized with 1M HCl showed the highest thermal stability, as demonstrated by TGA and DSC results. TEM analysis revealed that the NCC obtained with 5M HCl had the smallest particle size. The addition of different amounts of NCC into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites led to an enhancement of mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break up to the loading of 5 phr, but no substantial improvement in tear strength was noticed.

Recent development of biodegradable synthetic rubbers and bio-based rubbers using sustainable materials from biological sources

“…The use of excessively high acid concentration should be avoided as it could favour depolymerization of the cellulose and reduce them into amorphous sugar molecules. 127 Compared to MCC, NCC was reported to have better interfacial adhesion, compatibility, and dispersion in both NBR and XSBR. 127–129 The mechanical reinforcement trend of NCC is similar to that of MCC, in that TS, tear strength, and hardness increased with increasing filler content, whereas EB increased only slightly at a certain filler concentration before decreasing at higher filler loading.…”

“…127 Compared to MCC, NCC was reported to have better interfacial adhesion, compatibility, and dispersion in both NBR and XSBR. 127–129 The mechanical reinforcement trend of NCC is similar to that of MCC, in that TS, tear strength, and hardness increased with increasing filler content, whereas EB increased only slightly at a certain filler concentration before decreasing at higher filler loading. The inverse reinforcement between TS and EB was also seen in most conventional synthetic rubber fillers such as carbon black, silica, and clay materials.…”

“…The use of excessively high acid concentration should be avoided as it could favour depolymerization of the cellulose and reduce them into amorphous sugar molecules. 127 Compared to MCC, NCC was reported to have better interfacial adhesion, compatibility, and dispersion in both NBR and XSBR. [127][128][129] The mechanical reinforcement trend of NCC is similar to that of MCC, in that Fig.…”

“…127 Compared to MCC, NCC was reported to have better interfacial adhesion, compatibility, and dispersion in both NBR and XSBR. [127][128][129] The mechanical reinforcement trend of NCC is similar to that of MCC, in that Fig. 7 Mechanical strength reinforcement by fibrous fillers through physical entanglement.…”

A feasible way to modify microcrystalline cellulose powder and its reinforcing effect for NBR composites

“…By using this method, the improvement in the mechanical properties of NBR/MCC composites is more remarkable than in the previous reports. 32,34,35,[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57] 2 | EXPERIMENTAL METHODS…”