Natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates exhibit good mechanical properties compared to vulcanizates of synthetic rubbers. Incorporation of a conventional filler at higher loadings to NR enhances its modulus, while reduction in tensile strength and elongation. This paper presents a new strategy for development of a NR‐clay nanocomposite with enhanced mechanical properties by incorporation of lower loadings (2–8 phr) of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide modified montmorillonite clay (OMMT‐C) under acid‐free environment. The effect of OMMT‐C loading on cure characteristics, rubber‐filler interactions, crosslink density, dynamic mechanical thermal properties, and mechanical properties were evaluated. Incorporation of OMMT‐C accelerated the vulcanization process and enhanced mechanical properties. X‐ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the formation of intercalated clay structures at lower OMMT‐C loadings, and clay aggregates at higher loadings. A nanocomposite at OMMT‐C loading of 2 phr exhibited the best balanced mechanical properties, and was associated with highest crosslink density and rubber–filler interactions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46502.

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The immediate requirement to reduce Green House Gas emissions and the diminishing petroleum reserves are forcing the world to switch into greener sources of energy. Organic Solar Cells are one of the most impressive solutions for the clean energy demands. They have interesting advantages which can be translate into potential applications in the future. It is due to this reason, that efforts to improve both the efficiency and stability of OSCs are garnering worldwide attention. But the conventional architecture has crippling disadvantages which impacts the performance of OSCs. This has led to a growing interest in OSCs with inverted architecture-a structure with the transparent electrode acting as cathode and high work function metal as anode. This review will go over the existing mechanisms and researches taking place in the fabrication of Inverted OSCs.

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