Carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber (XSBR)/ sodium montmorillonite nanocomposites: structure and mechanical properties

Different methods have been used to prepare rubber/ layered silicate nanocomposites such as natural rubber (NR) [1], butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) [2,3]. Generally, in situ polymerization, solution and melt intercalation are the preparation methods of rubber/clay nanocomposites, wherein organically modified layered silicate must be used. However, considering that the latices are aqueous polymer dispersions and water is an excellent exfoliating agent for pristine clays, co-coagulating the mixture of rubber latex and layered silicate aqueous suspension is an easy method to prepare rubber/layered silicate nanocomposites wherein pristine clay, i.e. sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT), is used [2].XSBR latices are among the most important polymeric colloids, which are used as binder in paper coatings, carpet backing, paints and non-wovens. In the present work, XSBR/ pristine clay (sodium montmorillonite) nanocomposites were prepared for the first time by co-coagulating the mixture of rubber latex and clay aqueous suspension. Structure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were studied in detail. TEM and XRD were used for investigating the structures of XSBR/ clay nanocomposites