• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.455-465
• /
• 2009

In this study, Organo-montmorillonite(MMT) was synthesized by intercalation of various amine(Octylamine, Dodecylamine, Dimethyldodecylamine, Octadecylamine) compounds into layered silicate. Natural Rubber(NR)/MMT nanocomposites were prepared by reinforcement of Organo-MMT. X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Scanning electron microscope(SEM) were employed to characterize the layer distance of Organo-MMT and the morphology of the NR/MMT nanocomposites. The structures of the synthesized Organo-MMTs were analyzed by the measurement of FT-IR. Cure characteristics, surface free energy and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus and hardness of NR/MMT nanocomposites were carefully studied by contact angle meter, ODR, UTM, and hardness tester. FT-IR analysis showed a insertion of the alkyl and amine chains into the interlayers of the MMT. It was shown that the cure time of the organo-MMT was more decreased than that of $Na^+$-MMT. Surface free energy and tensile strength of the NR/DDA-MMT nanocomposite were the highest. NR/ODA-MMT nanocomposite was the highest in hardness.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.252-259
• /
• 2006

A new route for making rubber/clay nanocomposites was suggested based on skim natural rubber latex (SNRL), which is a protein rich by-product obtained during the centrifugal concentration of natural rubber (NR) latex. NR/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) based nanocomposites were prepared from SNRL and NBR latex of 26 % acrylonitrile content by blending of aqueous dispersion of organoclay (OC) followed by coagulation, drying, mill mixing and vulcanization. X-ray diffraction(XRD) studies revealed that NR/NBR blend nanocomposites exhibited a highly intercalated and exfoliated structure, especially for NBR-rich blends. Dynamic mechanical studies showed that more compatible behavior was observed for NBR-rich blends. The 25/75 NR/NBR blend nanocomposite showed the best mechanical properties.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.312-319
• /
• 2021

Photothermal therapy is a treatment that necrotizes selectively the abnormal cells, in particular cancer cells, which are more vulnerable to heat than normal cells, using the heat generated when irradiating light. In this study, we synthesized a reduced graphene oxide with carboxyl groups (CRGO)-gold nanorod (AuNR) nanocomposite for photothermal treatment. Graphene oxide (GO) was selectively reduced and exfoliated at high temperature to synthesize CRGO, and the length of AuNR was adjusted according to the amount of AgNO₃, to synthesize AuNR with a strong absorption peak at 880 nm, as an ideal photothermal agent. It was determined through FT-IR, thermogravimetric and fluorescence analyses that more carboxyl groups were conjugated with CRGO over RGO. In addition, CRGO exhibited excellent stability in aqueous solutions compared to RGO due to the presence of carboxylic acid. The CRGO-AuNR nanocomposites fabricated by electrostatic interaction have an average size of ~317 nm with a narrow size distribution. It was confirmed that under radiation with a near-infrared 880 nm laser which has an excellent tissue transmittance, the photothermal effect of CRGO-AuNR nanocomposites was greater than that of AuNR due to the synergistic effect of the two photothermal agents, CRGO and AuNR. Furthermore, the results of cancer cell toxicity by photothermal effect revealed that CRGO-AuNR nanocomposites showed superb cytotoxic properties. Therefore, the CRGO-AuNR nanocomposites are expected to be applied to the field of anticancer photothermal therapy based on their stable dispersibility and improved photothermal effect.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.27-39
• /
• 2006

In this study, modified DA-MMT filled NR/DA-MMT nanocomposites were manufactured by a latex method and a compounding method. Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of the Cloisite 15A, carbon black, Na-MMT filled NR compounds and the DA-MMT filled NR compound by a latex method were also evaluated. The filler content of all compounds was 10phr except the carbon black filled compound. Degree of intercalation and dispersion was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). According to the XRD diffraction pattern and TEM analysis, extensive intercalation and homogeneous dispersion of the clay were obtained after the two-roll milling. Although the layer distance was increased, some parts of DA-MMT showed the layer distance of Na-MMT after vulcanization. DA-MMT filled NR compounds showed the highest ODR torques, tensile strength, modulus, and tear energy. The NR/DA-MMT nanocomposite (by a latex method) compared with a NR/DA-MMT nanocomposite (by a compounding method) was found that the improvement of the mechanical properties was mainly due to the degree of dispersion of the clay.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.22-33
• /
• 2009

Recently, elastomer-nanocomposites reinforced with low volume fraction of nanofillers have attracted great interest due to their fascinating properties. The incorporation of nanofillers, such as, layered silicate clays, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, calcium carbonate, metal oxides or silica nanoparticles into elastomers improves significantly their mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical, barrier properties, flame retardancy, etc. The properties of nanocomposites depend greatly on the chemistry of polymer matrices, nature of nanofillers, and the method in which they are prepared. The uniform dispersion of nanofillers in elastomer matrices is a general prerequisite for achieving desired mechanical and physical characteristics. In this paper, current developments in the field of elastomer nanocomposites reinforced with layered silicates, silica, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers and various other nanoparticles have been addressed.