The physical properties of carbon nanoparticles dispersed into NBR/LLDPE nanocomposites for corrosion protection applications

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 123; no. 5; pp. 2667 - 2675
• Main Author: Mahmoud, Waleed E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05.03.2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon; Composites; Entropy; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Materials science; modification; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Polyethylenes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Resistivity; Solvents; Swelling; Technology of polymers; Electrical conductivity; Swelling; Electrical properties; Mechanical properties; Dispersion reinforced material; Nitrile rubber; Experimental study; Corrosion protection; Carbon; modification; nanocomposites; Composite material; Corrosion resistance; Vulcanizate; Concentration effect; Olefin polymer; Percolation; Nanocomposite; Linear low density ethylene polymer
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.34665

In this study, novel acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) nanocomposites with improved electrical conductivity and mechanical properties were synthesized. Carbon nanoparticles (CNP)/NBR composites and CNP‐polyethylene/NBR nanocomposites were prepared by mixing via two‐roll mill. The first type of the nanocomposite was produced to determine the percolation threshold concentration (Vc). The second type with constant CNP concentration, slightly over Vc (0.2 vol %), was synthesized to investigate the influence of polyethylene content on the mechanical, electrical and swelling behavior of nanocomposites. Only the nanocomposites with 3 vol % polyethylene loading showed electrical conductivity. However, the composites with higher polyethylene loadings showed insulating behavior due to hindrance of CNP network by polyethylene layers. Swelling measurements revealed that the change in entropy of the swelling increased with the increase in disorder level but decreased with the increase in intercalation level of CNP in the disordered intercalated nanocomposite. The increase in solvent uptake was comparable with the free volume in NBR matrix upon inclusion of nanoparticles, whereas the inhibition in solvent uptake for higher polyethylene loading was described by bridging flocculation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012