High‐performance natural rubber latex composites developed by a green approach using ionic liquid‐modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified by a hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs), including 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide and 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide, was studied. The obtained water‐suspensible carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were still homogeneously distributed in water a month after sonication. The microstructural development of filler networks and the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the presence of IL were analyzed by TEM. The apparent physical (cation–π/π–π) interaction between the MWCNTs and the IL was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, DSC, and TGA. Furthermore, high‐performance composites of natural rubber latex (NRL) and CNTs modified with IL were obtained by the liquid latex blending method. The CNTs were homogeneously distributed in the matrix and CNT–ILs improved the fatigue resistance and mechanical properties of the NRL/CNT–IL composites. This study demonstrates a simple and eco‐friendly approach to develop multifunctional advanced materials based on IL‐modified MWCNT elastomer composites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46588.

Ionic liquid assisted polyetheretherketone‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites: An environmentally friendly approach

“…On the other hand, IL‐modified MWCNTs provided the efficient dispersion and improved compatibility with the PEEK, as evidenced from Figure 4c. This homogenous distribution and deagglomeration of MWCNTs confirms the good π–π interactions between the π‐electronic nanotubes surface and the imidazolium cation of used IL 34,35 …”

“…A similar phenomenon was observed by Yang at el 42 in which poly (vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites were prepared by using ionic liquid modified CNTs for the enhanced T m and T c due to the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the presence of IL. This indicates that IL‐modified MWCNTs act as the most effective nucleation sites for the polymer crystallites 34,43 . The significantly increased PEEK matrix crystallization in PEEK‐MWCNTs‐IL might be due to strong interactions between the PEEK polymer and effectively distributed MWCNTs using IL, 42 which accelerates the nucleation density of the PEEK crystallization.…”

“…This homogenous distribution and deagglomeration of MWCNTs confirms the good π-π interactions between the π-electronic nanotubes surface and the imidazolium cation of used IL. 34,35…”

“…This indicates that ILmodified MWCNTs act as the most effective nucleation sites for the polymer crystallites. 34,43 The significantly increased PEEK matrix crystallization in PEEK-MWCNTs-IL might be due to strong interactions between the PEEK polymer and effectively distributed MWCNTs using IL, 42 which accelerates the nucleation density of the PEEK crystallization.…”

Sulfur-Modified Carbon Nanotubes for the Development of Advanced Elastomeric Materials

“…Although there are different methods to reach a better dispersion of CNTs in the rubber matrices [ 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], the surface modification of the CNT is one of the most widely-used approaches to increase the surface reactivity of these nanoparticles and improve their interaction with the polymer matrices [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. The introduction of appropriate functional groups into the surface of the particles could lead to a better interaction of the filler with the matrix and therefore to an improvement in the final properties of the rubber nanocomposites.…”