A Review of Natural Rubber Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes (original) (raw)
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Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2012
Recent attempts toward improving the properties of natural rubber (NR) by using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as filler were not successful due to low dispersion of CNT in NR. This article reports the results of studies on improvement of dispersion of CNT in NR by acid modification of CNT surface. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of COOH groups on the CNT surface. On the basis of results of studies on using differential scanning calorimetry, universal testing machine, dynamic mechanical tester, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical properties, and transmission electron microscopy, it is concluded that acid modification of CNT leads to improvement in thermal stability, stress-strain, and dynamic mechanical properties. V
Influence of Modified Natural Rubber on Properties of Natural Rubber–Carbon Nanotube Composites
Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 2015
Carbon nanotube (CNT)–filled natural rubber (NR) composites were prepared by using an internal mixer and a two-roll mill. Various types of NR, including unmodified NR, epoxidized NR (ENR), and maleated NR (MNR), were used. The chemical reactions between rubber molecules and functional groups on the CNT surface were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cure characteristics, tensile properties, relaxation behavior, and electrical conductivity of the various gum rubbers and the CNT-filled rubber composites were investigated. It was found that the addition of CNTs significantly affected the composite properties. This is due not only to the excellent properties of the CNT itself but also to the physical and chemical interactions between modified rubber molecules and CNT surfaces. On comparison between the three types of NR, it was observed that the ENR-CNT composite showed the highest values of delta torque, tensile strength, and initial r...
Journal of Composite Materials, 2017
In this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of natural rubber nanocomposites filled with poly (methyl methacrylate) grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube. The use of various filler loadings (1, 2, 3, and 5 wt %) and melt blending method was employed. From the results, nanocomposite with 1 phr filler loading showed the optimal tensile strength of 4.92 MaP, while that of the carbon black N330 filled natural rubber with similar filler loading found to be 2.48 MaP. The nanocomposite with optimal tensile strength exhibited a good filler dispersion in the natural rubber matrix, which was depicted by the field emission scanning electron microscopy images. The thermal degradation temperature of the vulcanized neat natural rubber composite was increased from 380℃ to 462℃ with 1 phr filler loading. The polymer modified multiwalled carbon nanotube improved the mechanical and thermal properties of natural rubber, suggesting its potential as reinforcement filler in rubber indus...
Advanced Materials Research, 2013
Carbon nanotube (CNT)/NR masterbatches prepared by predispersing and conventional methods were mixed with NBR for preparing CNT-filled 50/50 NR/NBR blends. The amount of CNT in the blends was varied from 0 to 6 phr. At a given CNT loading, hardness, modulus, tensile strength and tear strength of the blends containing the masterbatches prepared by the predispersing method were significantly higher than those prepared by the conventional method. This was simply due to the better CNT dispersion in the blends. Additionally, dynamic mechanical results showed that the maximum tan d of the vulcanizates containing the masterbatches prepared by the predispersing method was lower than that of the corresponding conventional samples. This behaviour indicated the stronger reinforcing efficiency when the masterbatch prepared by the predispersing method was utilized. In addition, the volume resistivity of the P blends was lower than that of the corresponding C blend by about 2 orders of magnitude when only 2 phr of CNT was added. Moreover, thermal conductivity of the P blend having 4 phr of MWCNT was 1.7 times higher than that of the corresponding sample prepared by the conventional method.
Polymer Composites, 2014
The objective of this study was to prepare natural rubber composites filled with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that show an electrical percolation threshold at very low CNT concentrations. Therefore, two methods of surface functionalization of CNTs were investigated to enable an improved dispersion of CNTs and chemical interaction between CNTs and rubber matrix. On one hand, the CNTs have been functionalized ex situ by acid treatment and silanization reaction with bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide before mixing with the rubber and otherwise in situ functionalization was directly carried out during the processing of the composites in the internal mixer. The grafting of silane molecules onto CNT surface was established by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Tensile tests revealed the outstanding properties of composites prepared by in situ silanization method. The in situ silanization led to a better dispersion of the CNTs and the formation of chemical linkages between CNT surface and rubber and this became manifest in higher reinforcement of the rubber, higher crosslink densities, and a lower electrical percolation threshold. It was also shown that the in situ silanization is retarding the vulcanization reaction.
Advances in Polymer Technology, 2014
Properties of natural rubber (NR) filled with various fillers, i.e., furnace black (N330), conductive carbon black (XE2-B), and carbon nanotube (CNT) were investigated. Both untreated and sonicated carbon nanotubes were used and designated as U-CNT and S-CNT, respectively. The filler content was varied from 0 to 8 phr. Regardless of the filler type, the increase in the filler content not only results in increased compound viscosity, reduced cure time, and enhanced cross-link density but also leads to the increase in the modulus and hardness of the vulcanizates. For N330 and XE2-B, the tensile strength increases continuously with increasing filler content. However, for both U-CNT and S-CNT, the tensile strength tends to increase with increasing filler content up to 2 phr and decreases noticeably afterward. At any given filler content, the CNTs give the vulcanizates with the highest values of electrical and thermal conductivities, storage modulus, and tan δ, followed by XE2-B and N330, respectively. Results also elucidate that the sonication of CNT without the presence of surfactant prior to mixing could not improve the degree of CNT dispersion, leading to insignificant difference in properties of the U-CNT-filled and S-CNT-filled vulcanizates. C
Mechanical properties of thermoplastic natural rubber reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2011
This study investigated the mechanical properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) nanocomposites reinforced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The TPNR nanocomposites were prepared using melt blending method from polypropylene, natural rubber, and liquid natural rubber as a compatibilizer, respectively, with 1—7 wt% of MWNTs. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased by almost 39% and 30%, respectively, at 3 wt% of MWNTs. The elongation at break decreased with increase in the percentage of MWNTs. The maximum impact strength was recorded at 5 wt% of MWNTs which was increased by 74% as compared with a pristine TPNR sample. The effect of MWNTs was also confirmed by DMA; it showed that the storage modulus E′, loss modulus E′′, and glass transition temperature (Tg) also increased for all MWNT reinforced samples. SEM micrographs confirm the effect of good dispersion of MWNTs and their interfacial bonding in TPNR.
Carbon Nanotubes, Carbon Fibers and Carbon Nanofibers for Natural Rubber Applications
2009
Nanomaterials are well known to be used as reinforcing fillers. With its high surface area, addition of small amount of nanomaterials in the polymer matrix would increase the strength of the composite material. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon fibers (CFs) and carbon nanofibres (CNFs) are among the nanomaterials that are commonly used as fillers to improve the mechanical properties. These nanomaterials have excellent mechanical and thermal characteristics. The good characteristics of natural rubber such as heat built up, hysteresis, impact, and tensile strength, flexing and damping capability on service were expected to be enhanced when added with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes. The other method used to synthesize nanomaterials are based on laser ablation and arc discharge which limit the production size and produces a large amount of impurities. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) was selected to encounter the problems mentioned. However, the most common problem faced in the production of nanocomposites is the blending of the matrix with the nanomaterial. This research project aims to find the suitable method to incorporate different nanomaterials with the natural rubber matrix. CNTs, CFs and CNFs were synthesized using the Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor