Structure and Properties of Natural Rubber and Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract Montmorillonite clay was organically modified by primary and quaternary ammonium salts (having C12-C18). The modified clay was added to a solution of natural rubber in toluene at various contents. Characterization of the structure of the nanocomposites was performed by using x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The results showed that the silicate layers of the clay were expanded so that the exfoliated nanocomposites were obtained at clay content below 10 phr; above that the nanocomposites became partially exfoliated. Moreover, long primary amine showed more improved mechanical properties than the quaternary one (at the same carbon numbers). The longer organic modifying agents resulted in better expansion of silicate layer distance indicating more intercalation of natural rubber molecules in between clay galleries. The curing properties were also improved. It was found that a small loading of 7 phr is enough to bring good mechanical properties in comparison to those of high structure silica filled and carbon black filled natural rubber vulcanizates.