Effects of Nanosized Polystyrene and Polystyrene-Encapsulated Nanosilica on Physical Properties of Natural Rubber/Styrene Butadiene Rubber Nanocomposites

Abstract

Natural rubber (NR)/styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites have been prepared with nanosized polystyrene (nPS) and polystyrene-encapsulated nanosilica (PS-nSiO₂) through latex compounding. The nPS and PS-nSiO₂ were synthesized by differential microemulsion polymerization. 80/20 NR/SBR blend was filled with various loadings of nPS and PS-nSiO₂ (1, 3, 5 and 7 phr). The influence of nanofillers on the tensile properties, dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability of the resulting nanocomposites was quantified. The results showed the improvement in the tensile strength, modulus and thermal stability by the appropriate amount of nPS and PS-nSiO₂ in the nanocomposites, whilst the elongation at break slightly deteriorated.

Keywords:

• Nanocomposites
• Nanosized polystyrene
• Natural rubber
• Polystyrene-encapsulated nanosilica
• Styrene butadiene rubber

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the 90th Year Anniversary of Chulalongkorn University Fund (Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund), Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Science and Center for Petroleum, Petrochemicals and Advanced Materials, Chulalongkorn University for financial, material and instrument support.