Abstract
Water‐induced mechanically adaptive rubber nanocomposites were prepared by mixing bacterial cellulose whiskers (BCWs) suspension with carboxylated acerlonitrile‐butadiene rubber (XNBR) latex, followed by latex blending method. The introduction of BCWs into XNBR enhanced the tensile storage modulus (E') significantly, which originated from the formation of a rigid 3D filler network within matrix as well as the interfacial interaction between filler and matrix. The water uptake ratio of nanocomposite films increased with BCWs content, from 5.5% for neat XNBR to 54% for nanocomposite with 20 phr (parts per hundred rubber) BCWs. Upon submersed in water, the nanocomposite films showed dramatic decrease in E′, especially for which filled with high BCWs loadings. For example, E′ of nanocomposite with 20 phr BCWs was decreased by 98.04% after equilibrium swelling compared with only 52.02% for nanocomposite with 3 phr BCWs. The remarkable water‐triggered modulus changes are attributed to the disentanglement of BCWs network after swelling. The prepared XNBR–BCWs nanocomposites with mechanically adaptive properties could contribute to develop the new type of rubber‐based smart materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:58–65, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
