Latex stage blending of multiwalled carbon nanotube in carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber: Mechanical and electrical properties

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was dispersed in sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) by sonication. The dispersed MWCNT (0.05–0.3 gm) was incorporated in carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) latex. Mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of these composites were studied. Mechanical properties of the composites increased up to an optimum concentration and then decreased. Dielectric properties of the composites were studied in the S band (frequency range 2–4 GHz) by Cavity Perturbation method. Direct current (DC) electrical conductivity shows a percolation behaviour and conductivity increased by about 10 orders of magnitude. Thermal studies were conducted using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). As expected with the very small concentration of multiwalled carbon nanotube, glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability of the composite showed a marginal increase. Composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis.

► MWCNT can act as a reinforcing filler in XNBR at very low concentration.
► SEM and XRD analysis confirm uniform distribution of nanotube in the matrix.
► Mechanical properties showed considerable improvement.
► Thermal stability of the composite is marginally improved.