Improvement in mechanical properties of NBR/AO60/MMT composites by surface hydrogen bond

Abstract

It is still a challenge to prepare high performance rubber/MMT composites by one‐pot method without solution. In this work, NBR/AO60/montmorillonite (MMT) (NBR/AM) composites were prepared by mechanical blending method and in‐situ formation of surface hydrogen bond was introduced under vulcanization process. Results showed that the polar parts of melting AO60 could partly intercalate into interlayer of MMT and some parts of melting AO60 molecules were absorbed onto surfaces of MMT particles during the vulcanization process. Subsequently, surface hydrogen bonds were constructed among NBR, AO60, and MMT after natural cooling, as evidenced by FTIR, resulting in more complex morphology and good interfacial adhesion in the NBR/AM composite. Consequently, as compared to NBR/montmorillonite (NBR/M) composite, remarkable improvements were found in mechanical properties and energy dissipation at high temperature of NBR/AM composite, which may provide a new prospect for designing high performance damping materials.

Flame‐retardant behavior and mechanism of theSBR/MMTcomposites modified by melamine matrix modifier

“…The tan δ will slightly decrease with the continuous reconstruction of the system structure and the new network structure formation. In comparison with the SBR/MMT composite, considering the restricted movement of polymer chains, the tan δ of the SBR/FOSM composites substantially decreased with the increase of MQAS content 9,38 . Hence, the interface between the organically modified MMT and the SBR is firmly bonded.…”

“…In comparison with the pure SBR and SBR/FOSM, the SBR/MMT composite had the highest tan δ , because the agglomeration of the MMT powders in the matrix increased the internal voids, pores production, and molecular chains mobility 11 . Losses occurred when polymer chains slide against each other or through the fillers 9 . The uniform dispersion of the MMT powders in the matrix and the formation of the embedded and exfoliated structure of the FOSM powders increased the bond between the FOSM powders and the SBR samples.…”

“…In order to further confirm the dispersion and interfacial interaction between FOSM and SBR matrix, the fracture surface of the composite material was characterized by SEM 9 . The fracture surface SEM images of the SBR/MMT, SBR/FOSM‐3, and SBR/FOSM‐4 samples are shown in Figure 6.…”

“…Montmorillonite (MMT) is a kind of layered silicate clay for rubber fillers because of its high specific surface area, high cation exchange capacity, and good mechanical stability 8,9 . The remarkable enhancement of the mechanical properties and thermal stability of composites is attributed to the dispersion of MMT in the rubber matrix 10–12 .…”

“…However, the presence of active hydroxyl and alkoxy functional groups on the nanofiller makes it inherently acidic and hydrophilic, resulting in poor polymer‐filler interaction between the rubber hydrocarbon and the nanofiller 13 . MMT is easily agglomerated in the rubber matrix and has peeling resistance 9 . This material should be modified using surfactants.…”