Synergistic Effect of Clay Platelets and Carbon Nanotubes in Styrene–Butadiene Rubber Nanocomposites

Abstract

Nanoscale materials have provided a big advantage for enhancing the performance of rubber composites through leading the synergy effects in the physical and chemical properties. Here, the authors prepare hybrid fillers using a simple solution‐based method, based on electrostatic interactive assembly, of hydroxyl‐functionalized exfoliated montmorillonite (FE‐MMT) and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide‐modified multiwall nanotube (MWNT). The driving force of hybridization is due to specific interaction between the positive charge on the MWNT and the negative charge of hydroxyl group on MMT. To improve their dispersion, the obtained hybrid fillers are then co‐coagulated with styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) latex to prepare elastomeric composites. Homogenous dispersion of the hybrid nanofillers in the SBR matrix results in a remarkable improvement in mechanical properties such as modulus (0.31 MPa) and tensile strength (75 MPa) at low loadings. Moreover, the prepared composite of hybrid nanofillers and rubber in the SBR matrix exhibits outstanding thermal (0.3779 W m−1 K−1) and electrical conductivities (15 kΩ) and gas barrier performance (9.16 × 10−45 m4 s−1 N−1). The synergistic reinforcement of SBR achieved by the combined incorporation of MWNT and MMT makes it ideal for use in conscious tires. This research opens up a wealth of new opportunities to prepare high performance rubber composites for future engineering applications.

Impact of various oxidation degrees of graphene oxide on the performance of styrene–butadiene rubber nanocomposites

“… To satisfy the increasingly demand in practical application, reinforcements of rubbers by incorporation of nanofillers have been intensively investigated. As previous reported, nanoparticles such as carbon black (CB) , silica , carbon nanotubes (CNTs) , cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) , graphene are usually considered as ideal reinforcing fillers for SBR matrix, in virtue of their small dimension and high specific surface area . As a derivative of graphene, graphene oxide (GO) has recently attracted a substantial attention in the rubber reinforcement, owing to its excellent mechanical, thermal, barrier properties as well as easy processing .…”

Efficient and Robust Reactions for Polyethylene Covalently Grafted Carbon Nanotubes

“…Owing to their unique sp 2 carbon–carbon bonding structure, CNTs possess excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties that may surpass any material ever‐existed. Therefore, CNT‐dispersed polymer composites are expected to possess various improved functions (thermal and mechanical properties) with less‐volume fillers compared to microsized fillers . However, CNT are in nature apt to aggregate, which can be explained by nanosize effect, that is, nanomaterials with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nm, have extremely high surface/volume ratio (and thus surface energy) and tend to form aggregation to reduce surface energy .…”

“…Therefore, CNT-dispersed polymer composites are expected to possess various improved functions (thermal and mechanical properties) with less-volume fillers compared to microsized fillers. [2][3][4][5] However, CNT are in nature apt to aggregate, which can be explained by nanosize effect, that is, nanomaterials with at least (2 of 8) 1600449 one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nm, have extremely high surface/volume ratio (and thus surface energy) and tend to form aggregation to reduce surface energy. [6,7] Strong entanglement associated with commercialized CNTs, resulting from their large aspect ratio (>1000), further inhibits good dispersion of CNTs (e.g., in polymer matrix).…”

The Meeting Point of Carbonaceous Materials and Clays: Toward a New Generation of Functional Composites

“…In this way, palygorskite modified with amino functionalities via grafting reaction with APTES was electrostatically assembled to GO and then used as nanofiller of poly(vynil alcohol), showing a clear improvement in dispersing within the matrix and favoring interface interactions . In the same way, MWCNT and montmorillonite conveniently modified have been mixed with styrene–butadiene rubber to produce improved composites for pneumatic tire applications . More frequently, CNT have been grown by chemical vapor deposition on the surface of the layered clay where a metal catalyst has been previously incorporated.…”