Tuning of Thermo-Mechanical Performance: Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced SBR/NBR/SR Nanocomposites

Sadia Sagar Iqbal,Muhammad Yasir,Waheed Gull Khan,M Arshad Bashir,Adnan Ahmad,Muhammad Adrees,Sajid Rasheed Ahmad,Faiza Hassan,Fahd Jamshaid

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.778.71

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the potential of modified nanoreinforcement (multiwalled carbon nanotubes; m-MWCNTs) to attenuate the thermal transport/decomposition/transition and mechanical aspects of three different polymeric matrices. In order to develop strong interfacial interaction between the host matrix and the incorporated nanotubes, 3-aminopropyletrimethoxy silane (APTMS) was used to m-MWCNTs. IR spectra confirmed the silane chemical moiety attachment on the upper surface of the MWCNTs. Conventional elastomeric mixing techniques were adopted to disperse m-MWCNTs within the three polymeric matrices (Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, Silicone rubber, and Styrene Butadiene rubber) separately. SEM images assured the uniform dispersion of m-MWCNTs within the host polymeric matrices. Experimental evaluation of thermal conductivity revealed the reduction of thermal transport through the developed composite specimens by increasing the host polymer matrix to nanofiller concentration (m-MWCNTs). The utmost insulation effect was perceived in the F-MWCNTs incorporated silicone rubber nanocomposite comparatively. Glass transition/crystallization temperatures of the nanocomposites were lessened however melting temperatures were enhanced by impregnating nanotubes into the host polymeric matrices. Maximum thermal stability improvement due to the addition of m-MWCNTs was observed in the silicone elastomeric nanocomposite as compared to the other two systems. Proper dispersion and compatibility of m-MWCNTs with the polymeric matrices effectively enhanced the ultimate tensile strength (UTS)/elongation at break along hardness of rubber of the nanocomposites. The insulation character of m-MWCNTs/silicone rubber system was found best among the explored nanocomposite formulations.

Highlights

Nano-reinforcements are widely used to develop polymer nanocomposites (PNC) having better Thermo-mechanical and electromagnetic characteristics relative to the virgin host matrixes [1, 2]
The present novel investigation reports the impact of 1wt % silane modified MWCNTs on the thermal transmission/decomposition/quenching/transitions temperatures with respective enthalpies and mechanical characteristics of three different polymeric matrices (NBR, SR, Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR))
The intensity of (002) and (100) peaks of functionalized nanotubes are much closer to P-MWCNTs gives the confirmation for the fact that the surface treatment does not harm the graphene layer pattern

Summary

Introduction

Nano-reinforcements are widely used to develop polymer nanocomposites (PNC) having better Thermo-mechanical and electromagnetic characteristics relative to the virgin host matrixes [1, 2]. The present novel investigation reports the impact of 1wt % silane modified MWCNTs on the thermal transmission/decomposition/quenching/transitions temperatures with respective enthalpies (glass/crystallization/melting) and mechanical characteristics of three different polymeric matrices (NBR, SR, SBR).

Results

Conclusion