Structure and properties of self-assembled narural rubber/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites

Abstract

Natural rubber (NR)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) composites were prepared by combining self-assembly and latex compounding techniques. The acid-treated MWCNTs (H₂SO₄: HNO₃=3:1, volume ratio) were self-assembled with poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) through electrostatic adhesion. In the second assembling, NR/MWCNTs composites were developed by mixing MWCNTs/PDDA solution with NR latex. The results show that MWCNTs are homogenously distributed throughout the NR matrix as single tube and present a great interfacial adhesion with NR phase when MWCNTs contents are less than 3 wt%. Moreover, the addition of the MWCNTs brings about the remarkable enhancement in tensile strength and crosslink density compared with the NR host, and the data peak at 2 wt% MWCNTs loadings. When more MWCNTs are loaded, aggregations of MWCNTs are gradually generated, and the tensile strength and crosslink both decrease to a certain extent.

Keywords

natural rubber (NR) / multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) / composites / latex compounding / self-assembly

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