Effect of Cellulose Fiber Surface Treatment to Replace Carbon Black in Natural Rubber Hybrid Composites

Abstract

In recent years, cellulose fibers have attracted considerable attention as biofillers for natural rubber (NR) composites. However, neat cellulose cannot be used as a substitute for conventional fillers due to its poor compatibility with NR. Therefore, a new surface treatment via maleic anhydride grafted to polyisoprene (MAPI) in solution was developed to improve the filler–matrix interaction. Different contents of carbon black (CB) and cellulose fibers (before and after modification) were used as a hybrid filler system to investigate the possibility of CB substitution in NR composites. First, contact angle, Fourier transformed infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to confirm the successful cellulose surface treatment. Second, morphological analysis, Payne effect, and swelling behavior of the rubber compounds in toluene confirmed the effect of cellulose treatment on improving the interfacial filler–matrix adhesion. Finally, the results showed that the composite filled with 20 phr modified cellulose and 20 phr CB (50% replacement of CB) exhibited even better results than the composite filled with 40 phr of CB, since the tensile strength was only 7% lower, but the elongation at break, tensile modulus at 100%, and storage modulus at 25 °C were respectively 35%, 24%, and 22% higher.

Hybrid nanocellulose/carbon nanotube/natural rubber nanocomposites with a continuous three‐dimensional conductive network

“…The Δ G ′ values for different samples are reported in Table 6. In addition, the destruction process was modeled by the Kraus equation, and the critical strain (Υ c ) at which 50% of the filler network is broken down was calculated [ 41 ] . where , , and refer to the storage modulus at a strain Υ, the storage modulus at zero strain and the storage modulus at the maximum strain, respectively. In all cases, the correlation coefficients ( R 2 ) are above 0.95 confirming a reliable curve fitting by the Kraus model.…”

“…The ΔG 0 values for different samples are reported in Table 6. In F I G U R E 6 DMA results for NR nanocomposites: (A) storage modulus, (B) loss modulus, and (C) tan δ addition, the destruction process was modeled by the Kraus equation, and the critical strain (Υ c ) at which 50% of the filler network is broken down was calculated [41] .…”

Cellulose and lignin as carbon black replacement in natural rubber

“…Some studies also showed that adding lignocellulosic fillers can decrease the density, as well as curing time and biodegradation time of rubber compounds 11,14 . Improved dynamic mechanical properties of rubber composites was also reported when CB is replaced by cellulose fibers 32,44–46 . The advantages and limitations of lignocellulosic fillers have been reported when used as CB replacement alone or as a hybrid filler system (natural and conventional fillers together) 14,32,47–49 …”

“…Improved dynamic mechanical properties of rubber composites was also reported when CB is replaced by cellulose fibers 32,44–46 . The advantages and limitations of lignocellulosic fillers have been reported when used as CB replacement alone or as a hybrid filler system (natural and conventional fillers together) 14,32,47–49 …”

“…12,13 Various lignocellulosic fillers, such as maple, 14 hemp, 15 flax, 16 wheat straw, 17 aspen wood flour, 18 rattan powder, 19 bamboo fiber, 20 jute, 21 cotton, 22 sisal, 23 oil palm, 24 coir, 25 pineapple leaf, 26 isora, 27 grass, 28 silk, 29 peanut shell powder, 30 and coconut shell powder, 31 have been used as fillers in NR composites. In addition to natural fibers, several studies have been conducted on the use of cellulose, 32,33 lignin, 34 and regenerated cellulose [35][36][37][38][39] on the properties of rubber composites. The mechanical properties of selected composites with different lignocellulosic fillers are listed in Table 1.…”