Low‐temperature synthesis of nano‐to‐submicron size organo‐zinc oxide and its effect on properties of polybutadiene rubber

Abstract

AbstractNano‐to‐submicron sized particles of zinc oxide (ZnO) were synthesized by low temperature hydrolysis method. Organo‐ZnO was also synthesized by the aforementioned method in presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG‐2000). The synthesized ZnO particles were characterized by infra‐red spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FTIR showed that PEG was present on the ZnO surface. Organo‐ZnO exhibited floral‐shape morphology consisting of concentric nanorods. The average diameter of the nanorods was ∼ 250 nm as evident from SEM. TEM showed that the nanorods were made of ∼ 50 nm sized small particles. UV‐absorbance property of ZnO was unaltered even after organic coating. Curing, physico‐mechanical and thermal properties of polybutadiene rubber compounded with organo‐ZnO were compared with those of standard commercial rubber grade ZnO and nano‐ZnO prepared by high and low temperature methods. The cure‐characteristics were studied with the help of moving die rheometer as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Crosslink‐density measurement along the DSC vulcanization exotherm showed better cure efficiency of organo‐ZnO. Organo‐ZnO containing compound exhibited better mechanical and thermal properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012