Natural rubber and copper alumina nanocomposite‐based flexible elastomer‐inorganic hybrid systems

Abstract

This work investigates the effect of different loading of copper alumina nanoparticles (Cu-Al 2 O 3 ) on the processing characteristics, crystalline, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of natural rubber (NR). The effective reinforcement of Cu-Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles into NR was carried out using a simple and efficient two roll mill mixing technique and the structural changes were systematically analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Xray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The FTIR and XRD of NR/Cu-Al 2 O 3 showed the characteristic absorption bands and the crystalline peaks of Cu-Al 2 O 3 in the prepared composites. SEM and HR-TEM showed the uniform distribution of nano Cu-Al 2 O 3 in the NR matrix. The processing time of the nanocomposites was significantly decreased with the addition of metal oxide nanoparticles, which indicated the reduction in the cost of the fabrication of elastomer product using Cu-Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, hardness, heat build-up, glass transition temperature, tear properties, abrasion, and thermal stability were greatly enhanced by the reinforcement of Cu-Al 2 O 3 into the NR matrix. The swelling behavior of composite with respect to different loading of nano-filler was also investigated in various aromatic solvents. The addition of nanoparticles reduces the solvent uptake of the composite and the maximum solvent resistance was noted for the composite with 5 phr loading.

Copper alumina @ poly (aniline-co-indole) nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization, electrical properties and gas sensing applications

“…Thus, Cu–Al 2 O 3 has better electrical conductivity, thermal characteristics and mechanical properties than other metal oxides. 12 …”

Compliant materials based on nickel oxide/chlorinated natural rubber nanocomposites

“…When the amount of NiO increases (10 phr) in Cl‐NR, the interparticle distances start to reduce which leads to a loosely packed and complex network structure resulting in an overlap of the immobile polymer segments and this result is in accordance with the previously reported work. [ 35 ]…”

Degradation of plastics associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

“…4 b. Both spectra exhibited a broad amorphous region of natural rubber that is visible at 2θ = 18.13 ( Parvathi et al, 2021 ), and characteristic peaks of CaCO 3 were also identified in both spectra ( Lee et al, 2012 ). The intensity of the amorphous region decreased in the sample compared to pristine material.…”