POSS nanoparticles as a potential compatibilizer for natural rubber/butadiene rubber blends

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pat.4949

In this study, it was aimed to investigate octavinyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OV-POSS) incorporation into natural rubber (NR)/butadiene rubber (BR) elastomer blends as a potential compatibilizer. The effects of OV-POSS loading levels on the thermal, mechanical, morphological, and dynamic-mechanical properties of elastomer blends were explored. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), Temperature Scanning Stress Relaxation (TSSR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results revealed the conceivable effect of OV-POSS nanoparticles in the vulcanization through reacting with sulfur and/or elastomers. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and tensile test measurements supported the improvement of mechanical properties due to homogeneous dispersion at low loading levels. On the other hand, high amount of OV-POSS incorporation (7 and 10 phr) resulted in a decrease in mechanical properties, owing to the agglomeration of nanoparticles. According to contact angle and Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results, it could be concluded that OV-POSS nanoparticles were localized at the interface of the elastomers and enabled the compatibilization of immiscible NR/BR blends.