Importance of fullerenic active sites in surface modification of carbon black by plasma polymerisation

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 1231 - 1238
• Main Authors: Mathew, T., Datta, R.N., Dierkes, W.K., van Ooij, W.J., Noordermeer, J.W.M., Gruenberger, T.M., Probst, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Byproducts; Carbon black; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Materials science; Physics; Polymerization; Rubber; Soot; Specific materials; Surface chemistry; Surface energy; Plasma; Wetting; Growth; Active site; Soot; Hydrocarbons; By products; Butadiene; Modifications; Polymers; Structure; Surface activity; Liquids; Carbon black; Elastomers; Thermogravimetry; Ethylene propylene rubber; Secondary ion mass spectrometry; Physical properties; Chemistry; Transmission electron microscopy; Styrene; Fullerenes; Benzenic compound; Surface tension; Dienes; Physicochemical properties; Surface energy
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2008.12.047

Carbon black is widely used as an active filler in rubber to improve the physical properties. The surface energy of carbon black is high compared to that of various elastomers like Styrene–Butadiene rubber, Butadiene rubber and Ethylene–Propylene Diene rubber. Reducing the surface energy and matching its surface chemistry will aid in compatibilising carbon black with various elastomers. Surface modification of carbon black by plasma polymerisation has been attempted earlier in order to reduce the surface energy of carbon black. These studies have shown that for effective surface modification of carbon black, there should be available a sufficient number of surface active sites. The present paper looks into the possibilities of utilizing the surface activity of a by-product of the production of fullerene, the fullerene soot for its use in a plasma modification process. Thermogravimetric analysis, wetting behaviour with various liquids of known surface tension, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy are used to characterise the carbon black before and after surface modification. The study shows that the fullerenic type structures present on the surface of fullerenic soot act as very active growth sites for the plasma polymer.