Abstract
Sepiolite (Sep)–styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites were prepared by using nano-sized sepiolite (NS-SepS9) fibers, obtained by applying a controlled surface acid treatment, also in the presence of a silane coupling agent (NS-SilSepS9). Sep/SBR nanocomposites were used as a model to study the influence of the modified sepiolite filler on the formation of immobilized rubber at the clay-rubber interface and the role of a self-assembled nanostructure in tuning the mechanical properties. A detailed investigation at the macro and nanoscale of such self-assembled structures was performed in terms of the organization and networking of Sep fibers in the rubber matrix, the nature of both the filler–filler and filler–rubber interactions, and the impact of these features on the reduced dissipative phenomena. An integrated multi-technique approach, based on dynamic measurements, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, and morphological investigation, assessed that the macroscopic mechanical properties of clay nanocomposites can be remarkably enhanced by self-assembled filler structures, whose formation can be favored by manipulating the chemistry at the hybrid interfaces between the clay particles and the polymers.
Highlights
Over the last decades, research on nanocomposites (NCs) has stimulated enormous efforts in the development of improved functional properties [1,2,3]
Sepiolite (Sep)–styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites were prepared by using nano-sized sepiolite (NS-Sep Pangel S9 (SepS9)) fibers, obtained by applying a controlled surface acid treatment, in the presence of a silane coupling agent (NS-SilSepS9)
An integrated multi-technique approach, based on dynamic measurements, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, and morphological investigation, assessed that the macroscopic mechanical properties of clay nanocomposites can be remarkably enhanced by self-assembled filler structures, whose formation can be favored by manipulating the chemistry at the hybrid interfaces between the clay particles and the polymers
Summary
Research on nanocomposites (NCs) has stimulated enormous efforts in the development of improved functional properties [1,2,3]. In order to provide clay-based rubber materials suitable for tire applications, the reinforcement effect should go hand in hand with the formation of an extended percolative network, a good filler dispersion and distribution, and an effective interaction of clay particles with rubber In this frame, we succeeded in the preparation of PNCs based on nano-sized sepiolite (NS-SepS9) fibers, obtained by applying a controlled surface acid treatment, in the presence of a silane coupling agent (NS-SilSepS9 fibers) [19]. The reduced particle size and the improved density of the surface silanol groups of Sep fibers allowed a better balance between the reinforcing and hysteretic properties of the rubber materials to be obtained, in comparison with the untreated bare Sep and silica particles conventionally used to reinforce rubber composites, leading to remarkable mechanical performances These have been primarily related to the enhanced interfacial chemical interaction between modified SNeapnofimbateerisalas n20d19r,u9b, xbFeOr,RaPsEwERelRlEaVsIEtoWthe size and self-assembly of anisotropic nanofibers in rigid3fiolfle1r9 network domains, as shown in Scheme 1. Schematic representation of self-assembly of modified sepiolite fibers (nano-sized sepiolite SS9c,hneammeely.NSSc-SheepmSa9tiacndrenparneose-sniztaetdiosnilaonfizesedlfs-eapssioelmiteblSy9, onfammeolydiNfieSd-SislSeeppioSl9i)teinfsibtyerresne(nbauntoa-dsiiezneed rsuebpbioelrit(eSBSR9,)ninamcoemlypNarSi-sSoenpwS9itahnrdanndaonmo-lsyizdeidspseilrasneidzepdrissetipnieolsietepiSo9li,tnea(mSeeplSy9N).S-SilSepS9) in styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) in comparison with randomly dispersed pristine sepiolite (SepS9)
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