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Cobani E, Tagliaro I, Geppi M, Giannini L, Leclère P, Martini F, Nguyen TC, Lazzaroni R, Scotti R, Tadiello L, Di Credico B. Hybrid Interface in Sepiolite Rubber Nanocomposites: Role of Self-Assembled Nanostructure in Controlling Dissipative Phenomena. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 9:E486. [PMID: 30934729 PMCID: PMC6523625 DOI: 10.3390/nano9040486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Sepiolite (Sep)⁻styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites were prepared by using nano-sized sepiolite (NS-SepS9) fibers, obtained by applying a controlled surface acid treatment, also in the presence of a silane coupling agent (NS-SilSepS9). Sep/SBR nanocomposites were used as a model to study the influence of the modified sepiolite filler on the formation of immobilized rubber at the clay-rubber interface and the role of a self-assembled nanostructure in tuning the mechanical properties. A detailed investigation at the macro and nanoscale of such self-assembled structures was performed in terms of the organization and networking of Sep fibers in the rubber matrix, the nature of both the filler⁻filler and filler⁻rubber interactions, and the impact of these features on the reduced dissipative phenomena. An integrated multi-technique approach, based on dynamic measurements, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, and morphological investigation, assessed that the macroscopic mechanical properties of clay nanocomposites can be remarkably enhanced by self-assembled filler structures, whose formation can be favored by manipulating the chemistry at the hybrid interfaces between the clay particles and the polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elkid Cobani
- Department of Materials Science, INSTM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi, 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
| | - Irene Tagliaro
- Department of Materials Science, INSTM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi, 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
| | - Marco Geppi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, University of Pisa, Via Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Philippe Leclère
- Service de Chimie des Matériaux Nouveaux, Centre d'Innovation et de Recherche en MAtériaux Polymères (CIRMAP), Université de Mons-UMONS, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Francesca Martini
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, University of Pisa, Via Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Thai Cuong Nguyen
- Service de Chimie des Matériaux Nouveaux, Centre d'Innovation et de Recherche en MAtériaux Polymères (CIRMAP), Université de Mons-UMONS, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Roberto Lazzaroni
- Service de Chimie des Matériaux Nouveaux, Centre d'Innovation et de Recherche en MAtériaux Polymères (CIRMAP), Université de Mons-UMONS, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Roberto Scotti
- Department of Materials Science, INSTM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi, 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
| | | | - Barbara Di Credico
- Department of Materials Science, INSTM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi, 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
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Magana JR, Solans C, Salonen LM, Carbó-Argibay E, Gallo J, Tiddy GJ, Rodríguez-Abreu C. Chromonic self-assemblies in a series of dialkyl-thiacarbocyanine dyes and generalization of a facile route for the synthesis of fluorescent nanostructured silica fibers. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2018.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Gundlach N, Hentschke R. Modelling Filler Dispersion in Elastomers: Relating Filler Morphology to Interface Free Energies via SAXS and TEM Simulation Studies. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:polym10040446. [PMID: 30966481 PMCID: PMC6415453 DOI: 10.3390/polym10040446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The properties of rubber are strongly influenced by the distribution of filler within the polymer matrix. Here, we introduce a Monte Carlo-based morphology generator. The basic elements of our model are cubic cells, which, in the current version, can be either silica filler particles or rubber volume elements in adjustable proportion. The model allows the assignment of surface free energies to the particles according to whether a surface represents, for instance, ‘naked’ silica or silanised silica. The amount of silanisation is variable. We use a nearest-neighbour site-exchange Monte Carlo algorithm to generate filler morphologies, mimicking flocculation. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) as well as small angle scattering (SAS) intensities can be calculated along the Monte Carlo trajectory. In this work, we demonstrate the application of our morphology generator in terms of selected examples. We illustrate its potential as a tool for screening studies, relating interface tensions between the components to filler network structure as characterised by TEM and SAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Gundlach
- School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bergische Universität, D-42097 Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Reinhard Hentschke
- School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bergische Universität, D-42097 Wuppertal, Germany.
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