Effect of zinc oxide induced metal-ligand crosslink on the mechanical properties in the ethylene acrylic elastomer (AEM)

Abstract

The metal-ligand complex (sacrificial bonds) that exist in the mussels, bone and silk can dissipate energy and reinforce mechanical strength. Inspired by the high performance of metal-ligand complex, we introduced a kind of metal-ligand crosslink into the rubber network. In this work, ethylene acrylic elastomer (AEM) was filled with ZnO, and was cured by the amine cure system. The metal-ligand crosslink structure was verified by FTIR and XPS, and the tensile strength and dynamic properties were examined with a universal testing machine and rubber process analyzer (RPA). The results showed that coordination crosslink formed in the AEM matrix and exhibited outstanding tensile strength and unexpected dynamic properties due to the coordination bonds between Zn2+ and amine group.