Improvement in characteristics of natural rubber nanocomposite by surface modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

摘要

We aim to develop high-level applications of NR through the innovative use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to improve reinforcing performance and thermal resistance. In this study, we examined the structures and characteristics of composite materials in which NR was the matrix and MWCNTs were the fillers. We studied the properties of composites containing surface-activated MWCNTs with three different diameters. The results show that the reinforcing performance improves as MWCNT diameter decreases, while thermal resistance improves as we decrease the heat-treatment temperature. The latter occurs because adherence between MWCNTs and NR becomes stronger at lower heat-treatment temperatures. We also found that for practical applications, we need to control active sites on MWCNTs to balance adhesion against thermal resistance. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.