Natural rubber/layered silcate nanocomposite for Building applications

Abstract

Polymeric nanocomposite materials with a nano tag are nowadays moving into the market and are beginning to compete with traditional composite materials in various applications. Nanocomposite materials based on a polymeric matrix and nano-scale particles have offered a great opportunity in sustainable construction/green building applications since its potential capability of addressing key components of the sustainable construction: efficient materials and environmental protection. Natural rubber (NR)/layered silicate (NRLS) nanocomposites have been prepared by melt mixing of NR with organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) in the presence of functionalized polar additive and other curing chemicals. The resultant nanorubber vulcanizate structures were characterised with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analysis showed that NR molecules diffused into the OMMT gallery in the presence of functionalised polar additive and, as a result, intercalated/exfoliated rubber nanocomposite was formed, the result further confirmed by the analysis of SEM images. The mechanical performances of NRLS nanocomposite material prepared with increasing loading level of OMMT and 90 phr of inert filler (CaCO3) were investigated to evaluate the reinforcing effect of OMMT in the presence of inert filler. The mechanical properties of the NRLS vulcanisate were compared with conventional NR vulcanizate containing carbon black (CB) and CaCO3.