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Synergism Effect of Montmorillonite and Cellulose Whiskers on the Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Natural Rubber Composites
Author(s) -
Bendahou Abdelkader,
Kaddami Hamid,
Espuche Eliane,
Gouanvé Fabrice,
Dufresne Alain
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201000444
Subject(s) - materials science , montmorillonite , whiskers , composite material , nanocomposite , natural rubber , cellulose , filler (materials) , polymer , chemical engineering , engineering
A series of nanocomposite films based on natural rubber (NR), Na + ‐montmorillonite (MMT), and cellulose whiskers (W) was prepared, keeping a total filler content equal to 5 wt.‐%. In the binary NR/MMT system, small stacks of intercalated montmorillonites were homogeneously dispersed within the polymer matrix whereas they were clearly lying in the vicinity of cellulose whiskers in the ternary NR/MMT/W blends. The effects of MMT and W on mechanical and gas barrier properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated. A significant increase of the rubbery modulus was obtained upon filler addition. The reinforcing effect was particularly important for the nanocomposite film reinforced with 1 wt.‐% MMT and 4 wt.‐% W. The improvement of the gas barrier properties observed upon filler addition was explained by a tortuosity effect. The calculated tortuosity values indicated that the simultaneous use of MMT and W could greatly slow down the gas diffusion rate in NR. Formation of MMT‐W subassembly should be responsible for this synergism effect.