Natural rubber nanocomposites with functionalized carbon nanotubes: Mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and morphology studies

Recent attempts toward improving the properties of natural rubber (NR) by using carbon nanotubes (CNT) as filler were not successful due to low dispersion of CNT in NR. This article reports the results of studies on improvement of dispersion of CNT in NR by acid modification of CNT surface. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the presence of COOH groups on the CNT surface. On the basis of results of studies on using differential scanning calorimetry, universal testing machine, dynamic mechanical tester, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical properties, and transmission electron microscopy, it is concluded that acid modification of CNT leads to improvement in thermal stability, stressstrain, and dynamic mechanical properties. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012