The Role of CNTs in Promoting Hybrid Filler Networking and Synergism with Carbon Black in the Mechanical Behavior of Filled Polyisoprene

• Published in: Macromolecular materials and engineering Vol. 298; no. 2; pp. 241 - 251
• Main Authors: Galimberti, Maurizio, Coombs, Michele, Riccio, Pierluigi, Riccò, Theonis, Passera, Simone, Pandini, Stefano, Conzatti, Lucia, Ravasio, Andrea, Tritto, Incoronata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.02.2013; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon; Carbon black; carbon nanotubes; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; filler networks; Fillers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; hydrocarbon polymers; Mathematical analysis; Nanocomposites; Nanotubes; Networks; Polyimide resins; Polymer industry, paints, wood; stiffness; Synergistic effect; Technology of polymers; Transmission electron microscopy; hydrocarbon polymers; Electrical conductivity; Carbon black; Dispersion degree; Mechanical properties; Carbon nanotubes; Experimental study; stiffness; Synergism; nanocomposites; Hybrid composite; Multiwalled nanotube; Dynamic mechanical properties; Vulcanizate; Morphology; filler networks; Concentration effect; Percolation; Nanocomposite; Isoprene polymer
• ISSN: 1438-7492; 1439-2054
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201200075

The filler networking process promoted by multiwalled CNTs is studied in neat and CB‐filled poly(1,4‐cis‐isoprene) matrices. TEM analysis, tensile, dynamic‐mechanical, and electrical measurements reveal that the CNTs form a filler network at low concentration in neat PI and a continuous hybrid filler network at a lower CNT concentration in the presence of CB, with a remarkable increase of the nonlinear dynamic‐mechanical behavior of the nanocomposites at low deformation. A synergistic effect between CB and CNTs is demonstrated. The addition of CNTs to the CB‐filled PI matrix leads to initial modulus values much larger than those calculated by simple addition of the two initial moduli of the composites containing only CB and only CNTs, respectively. Synergistic effects of CNTs and carbon black in a hydrocarbon polymer matrix are demonstrated. CNTs and CB form a hybrid filler network and lead to E initial modulus values much larger than those calculated from the addition of E initial modulus values of composites containing either only CB or only CNTs.