Nanosilica‐reinforced Epoxidized natural rubber nanocomposites: Effect of Epoxidation level on morphological and mechanical properties

Abstract

Epoxidized natural rubbers (ENRs) with three different epoxide contents (i.e., 20, 35, and 50 mol% indicated as ENR20, ENR35, and ENR50, respectively) were prepared. They were then reinforced with 3‐methyacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane‐modified nanosilica (MPTS‐SiO2). Influence of epoxide level in ENR molecules on morphological, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of the ENR nanocomposites was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy results revealed larger agglomerates of SiO2 were found in the ENR composites with higher epoxide content. Furthermore, the strength and moduli of the ENR nanocomposites increased with increasing epoxide content. However, the optimal tensile strength and elongation at break were observed in the nanocomposites with the intermediate level of epoxide contents. The correlation between the strength properties and the interfacial silica‐matrix adhesion indicated that the maximum interfacial adhesion of the nanocomposites was observed in the nanocomposite with ENR35. Also, DMA results indicated stronger interaction between ENR35 and MPTS‐SiO2 due to higher storage modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1151–1157, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

Facile Preparation of Supertoughened Polylactide-Based Thermoplastic Vulcanizates without Sacrificing the Stiffness Based on the Selective Distribution of Silica

“…Inspired by the relevant work, ,, we envisage that incorporation of reinforcing nanofillers in the TPVs with a low rubber content may enhance the rubber phase to realize the toughening of PLA, while reducing the use of a rubber phase may contribute to maintaining the high stiffness of the TPVs. As one of the most commonly used reinforcing fillers, hydrophilic silica (SiO 2 ) shows excellent reinforcing efficiency in rubber-based materials, such as NR, ENR, NBR and EPDM, etc. In the field of polymer blending, SiO 2 is also used to reinforce or toughen PLA and has an unexpected effect. − Li synthesized SiO 2 /P­(CL-mLA)/PDLA core–shell nanoparticles, which were used to improve the interfacial adhesion, resulting in a significant increase in the fracture strain from 12.4% to 200.7%.…”

Promoting the dispersibility of silica and interfacial strength of rubber/silica composites prepared by latex compounding

“…Firstly, it is of significance to modify silica to improve its dispersibility in the rubber matrix, and many related studies have been conducted. [15][16][17][18][19][20] For example, silica modified by silane coupling agents, [21][22][23][24][25][26] surfactant, [27][28][29][30] both silane coupling agents and surfactant, [31] grafting polymer, [32,33] adding other fillers, [34][35][36] ionic liquid. [37] What's more, mechanical force can also improve the dispersibility of silica, but it has little effect on the enhancement of interface strength due to the bad compatibility of silica and rubber.…”

Preparation of water swellable rubber from epoxidized natural rubber and sodium acrylate by in‐situ polymerization: Effect of vulcanization system, epoxide, and dicumyl peroxide, and sodium acrylate content

“…7 ENR was typically utilized to enhance the polar polymer's mechanical attributes as well. 8,9 WSRs were produced by mechanical blends of hydrophobic rubber, and SAP is the well-known method. 10 However, this approach typically led to poor mechanical properties due to the low compatibility between the two phases.…”