Networking of ionic liquid modified CNTs in SSBR

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were modified using an ionic liquid (IL) and were admixed with a non-polar solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR). A local re-agglomeration of ionic liquid modified CNTs (m-CNTs) was found to occur in the SSBR composites, which was confirmed from transmission electron micrographs, as IL cannot couple CNTs and elastomer in order to maintain the disentangled state of the tubes. The conducting networks were established as a consequence of agglomerate-tube percolation and the maximum electrical conductivity of the investigated samples was found to be ∼0.01 S/cm. The reinforcing effect of m-CNTs was not profound in the composites due to the plasticizing nature of IL in non-polar SSBR.

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► Ionic liquid modified CNTs/SSBR composites were prepared.
► Dispersion and networking mechanisms were analysed.
► Local re-agglomeration of modified CNTs in SSBR was observed.
► Coupling of ionic liquid between CNTs and SSBR is found necessary for dispersion.
► Plasticizing effect of ionic liquid in SSBR is discussed.