The properties of organo-montmorillonite/cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber nanocomposites and the effect of recovered solvent on the conversion of butadiene polymerization

The organo-montmorillonite (OMt)/cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber (BR) nanocomposites were prepared by solution intercalation. The structure and properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The effect of recovered solvent on the conversion of butadiene polymerization was investigated. The results of the XRD and TEM showed that the molecular chains of BR were intercalated into the OMt particles. Compared with the pure BR, the tensile strength of OMt/BR nanocomposites (6 wt.%) increased by 172%. The conversion of butadiene polymerization was higher than 90% by using recovered solvent. The OMt/BR nanocomposites (2 wt.%) had the maximum crosslink density. And the nanocomposites exhibited a higher glass transition temperature and lower tanδ peak value.

► TEM and XRD confirmed that the majority of the OMt particles were dispersed uniformly in the BR matrix.
► The recovered solvent had no negative influence on the conversion of butadiene.
► The nanocomposites exhibited a higher glass transition temperature and lower tanδ peak value.