EPDM/modified halloysite nanocomposites

• Published in: Applied clay science Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 405 - 413
• Main Authors: Pasbakhsh, Pooria, Ismail, H., Fauzi, M.N Ahmad, Bakar, A. Abu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Dispersions; Elongation; Ethylene; Halloysite; Mechanical analysis; Monomers; Nanocomposites; Propylene; Tensile strength; Transmission electron microscopy; γ-Methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane; Transmission electron microscopy; Halloysite; Nanocomposites; γ-Methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane; Mechanical analysis
• ISSN: 0169-1317; 1872-9053
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2010.01.015

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were modified by γ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS) to improve their dispersion in ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The EPDM/HNT nanocomposites were prepared by mixing 0, 5, 10 and 30 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of HNTs with EPDM on a two-roll mill. The tensile strength and tensile modulus at 100% elongation (M100) of the nanocomposites were higher than those of EPDM/unmodified HNTs (EPDM/HNT) while the elongation at break decreased a little after modification of the HNTs. SEM and TEM studies revealed the better dispersion of the modified HNTs in the EPDM matrix. FTIR and TGA indicated that γ-MPS had partially penetrated into the HNTs and interacted with the Si–O groups on the surfaces of the HNTs.