This work investigates the effect of different loading of copper alumina nanoparticles (Cu-Al 2 O 3 ) on the processing characteristics, crystalline, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of natural rubber (NR). The effective reinforcement of Cu-Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles into NR was carried out using a simple and efficient two roll mill mixing technique and the structural changes were systematically analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Xray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The FTIR and XRD of NR/Cu-Al 2 O 3 showed the characteristic absorption bands and the crystalline peaks of Cu-Al 2 O 3 in the prepared composites. SEM and HR-TEM showed the uniform distribution of nano Cu-Al 2 O 3 in the NR matrix. The processing time of the nanocomposites was significantly decreased with the addition of metal oxide nanoparticles, which indicated the reduction in the cost of the fabrication of elastomer product using Cu-Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, hardness, heat build-up, glass transition temperature, tear properties, abrasion, and thermal stability were greatly enhanced by the reinforcement of Cu-Al 2 O 3 into the NR matrix. The swelling behavior of composite with respect to different loading of nano-filler was also investigated in various aromatic solvents. The addition of nanoparticles reduces the solvent uptake of the composite and the maximum solvent resistance was noted for the composite with 5 phr loading.

This work focused on the preparation of biopolymer blend nanocomposites from chitin (CT) and cashew tree gum (CTG) with different contents of copper sulphide nanoparticles (CuS) by solution casting method. The formation of nanocomposites have been characterized by FT infrared (FTIR), UV spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), thermogravimetry (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and impedance analysis. The characteristic absorption of nanoparticles in the FTIR spectra and shift in UV spectra of blend composites revealed the strong interaction between CuS nanoparticles and the polar segments of CT/CTG blend. With the increase in dosage of nanoparticles, a decrease in amorphous domains has been noted in the XRD scans. The uniform distribution of nanoparticles in CT/CTG network has been confirmed by the SEM analysis. HRTEM of the blend composites reveals the formation of hemispherical nanoparticles with a diameter of 15–30 nm. The glass transition temperature of blend composites increased with the addition of nano-CuS in the polymer matrix. Compared to the pure CT/CTG blend, the prepared nanocomposite showed higher thermal stability. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness of the blend nanocomposites were greatly enhanced by the reinforcement of CuS into the CT/CTG matrix. The AC conductivity and dielectric properties of the nanocomposites increased with the concentration of fillers and the magnitude of these properties was higher than the pure polymer blend.

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