Elucidating the interactions between carbon nanotubes and carbon black with styrene butadiene rubber

Abstract

The reinforcement mechanism of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on styrene butadiene rubber is studied through dynamic and swelling tests. Compounds containing carbon black (CB) and an unfilled one were prepared for comparison purposes. The dynamic properties are interpreted through the Maier-Göritz model to distinguish the contributions of stable and unstable crosslinks to the storage modulus, finding that the unstable ones become more relevant in samples containing a CNT concentration higher than 5 phr. In addition, the crosslinks density estimated by swelling and the stable contribution obtained with dynamical properties present the same tendency with the CNT amount. The former presents lower values, which can be explained considering that only stable crosslinks remain in the equilibrium-swollen state, while in the second one both stable and unstable are considered. In addition, differences in the filler-polymer interaction mechanisms are observed according to the morphology and aspect ratio of CNT in contrast to CB.

Segregated MWCNT Structure Formation in Conductive Rubber Nanocomposites by Circular Recycling of Rubber Waste

“…Meanwhile, the percolation threshold gradually increased for MX-RR/CNT (0.39 vol %) and LX-RR/CNT (0.78 vol %). In comparison to some literature results, we find that the electrical percolation threshold of HX-RR/CNT is lower than those of rubber/CNT nanocomposites reported previously. ,,− This indicates that the dense network domain in HX-RR facilitated the formation of a conductive CNT network at a low CNT loading, as discussed earlier in previous sections. The dense network domains can prevent the penetration of CNT particles, and CNT filler is then selectively dispersed to only the sol fraction with localization of CNT at the boundaries of the domains, as shown in Figure b.…”

“…To further examine network density and reinforcement structure in a filled compound, Maier–Göritz proposed that the cross-linked polymer network in a filled vulcanizate contributes to “stable bonds” and “unstable bonds” using the following equation where G st ′ is the storage modulus at large strain, G i ′ is the amplitude of the Payne effect, and c is an experimentally determined parameter.…”

Carbon Nanotubes Networking in Styrene‐Butadiene Rubber: A Dynamic Mechanical and Dielectric Spectroscopy Study

“…However, if the filler content is high enough, a 3D network of CNT could be formed that extends throughout the rubber matrix, which would significantly affect the electrical behavior of the whole sample. [ 2,37 ] In particular, the presence of conductive CNT radically affects the dielectric response of the rubber matrix. [ 38–40 ]…”

“…Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are one of the more suitable candidates to replace, totally or partially, carbon black (CB), thus allowing the reduction of the filler content without diminishing the mechanical performance. [ 1–8 ]…”

“…Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are one of the more suitable candidates to replace, totally or partially, carbon black (CB), thus allowing the reduction of the filler content without diminishing the mechanical performance. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The improvements achieved in the final properties of the reinforced materials are strongly influenced by the particle-polymer interaction degree, which in turn depends on several factors, such as size and geometry of the particle, degree of dispersion and energetic distribution of the surface. [9,10] In the case of elastomers reinforced with CB, there is an intensive polymer-filler interaction, and polymer chains anchor to the filler surface.…”