Nanocomposites isoprene rubbers

Liang, Y, Wang, Y, Wu, Y, Zhang, H., and Zhang, L. 2005. Preparation and properties of isobu-tylene-isoprene rubber (IIR)/clay nanocomposites. Polymer Testing 24 12-17. 

Table 2.1 presents a summary of the information available in the scientific literature for C and OC dispersion in isoprene rubbers. The state of dispersion depends on the clay type, pristine or organically modified, and on the blending technology adopted. Table 2.2 shows that nanocomposites are formed with a pristine clay only through emulsion blending. In fact, the inorganic nature of clay layers hinders their compatibility with the rubber matrix. 

One of the main subjeets of research activity on polymer nanocomposites and, in particular, of nanocomposites based on isoprene rubber is the polymer/ nanofiller interaction. To underline the importance of this subject, it could be simply said that the reinforcement by nanofillers depends essentially on the efficiency of load transfer to the nanofiller particles. 

Nanocomposites with silica nanoparticles have been prepared in poly-dimethylsiloxanes, butadiene, styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylic and ethylene-propylene diene rubber. Nanocomposites in isoprene rubbers are here examined. In a nutshell, these nanocomposites were prepared adopting the three methods summarized above and nano-silica was reported to promote the mechanical reinforcement of poly (isoprene) matrices, less that CB but more than conventional silica, with lower viscosity. 

Figure 23.7 TEM image of an isoprene rubber nanocomposite containing organoclay.

Figure 23.9 TEM images of (a) a graphene platy single layer and (b) an isoprene rubber nanocomposite containing nanographite.

Namral rubber composition is polymerized c -l,4-poly-isoprene. However, synthetic attempts of duplicating natural rubber have been largely unsuccessful. Namral rubber is the largest polymer component of a tire. The preparation of natural rubber nanocomposites will add value to a very large segment of the rubber industry. Because natural rubber can be obtained as an aqueous dispersion from the rubber tree and as a dried solid phase, one can disperse an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles into the latex before drying or compound the organic modified nanoparticles into the solid phase to obtain the rubber nanocomposite. 

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