Impact of filler geometry and surface chemistry on the degree of reinforcement and thermal stability of nitrile rubber nanocomposites

The morphological, mechanical, and thermal stability of Nitrile rubber nanocomposites reinforced with fillers such as layered silicate (LS), calcium phosphate (CP) and titanium dioxide (TO) having different particle size and chemical nature were analyzed. The results revealed that the filler geometry played an important role on the mechanical and thermal stability of the composites. Calcium phosphate and titanium dioxide filled systems showed comparatively better mechanical and thermal stability compared to neat rubber. The activation energy needed for the thermal degradation was found to be higher for layered silicate filled system. DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) analysis revealed a change in the Tg values as a result of the addition of fillers. This was more prominent with the case of layered silicate filler addition in comparison with calcium phosphate and titanium dioxide. The heat capacity values of the nanocomposites were carefully evaluated. The (∆Cp) with values obtained for different nanocomposites were correlated with the degree of reinforcement. It can be assumed that more polymer chains are attached on to the surface of the filler and there exists an immobilized layer around the filler surface and the layers do not take part in the relaxation process. The FTIR spectrum of the different samples highlighted the possible filler matrix interaction. The filler dispersion and aggregation in the polymer matrix were analyzed using X-ray diffraction studies (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).