Preparation and characterization of black shale–reinforced ethylene propylene diene monomer nanocomposites

Abstract

Organophilic kaolinitic black shale was prepared through incorporation of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB C16) as surfactant with natural kaolinitic black shale. It was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The acrylic acid modifying agent can be utilized to improve the distribution of the organophilic kaolinitic black shale in the rubber matrix. The ethylene propylene diene monomer was mixed with different concentrations of modified organophilic kaolinitic black shale. The dispersion of the modified organophilic kaolinitic black shale was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, which confirmed the formation of exfoliated nanocomposites at lower clay content. The elastomeric compound was filled with kaolinitic black shale and then it was analyzed by undergoing the physicomechanical properties and thermal gravimetric analysis. The nanocomposites showed remarkable improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, and hardness. In addition, increase in thermal stability due to the presence of modified organophilic kaolinitic black shale was observed.