International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—The outstanding properties of Carbon nanotubes have generated scientific and technical interests in the development of nanotube-reinforced polymer composites. Therefore, we investigated a novel mixing approach for achieving a good dispersion of Multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) in a rubber blend with Nanoclay. The initial phase involves Nanoclay material Halloysite (Aluminosilicate nanotube) mixed with a sample of Raw Natural rubber (ISNR-20) in the proportion 1:10 using suitable solvent. The above composition is mixed using Mechanical Stirrer at an elevated temperature for a curing period of 3-4 hours until Rubber-Nanoclay composite is achieved. The Rubber composite and MWCNT’s are dispersed in Toluene separately. This process is done to MWCNT’s in order to disentangle them from lumps. The final phase is the Melt preparation process which involves the thorough blending of the above solutions at a temperature of 110°C. It is further sonicated using a mechanical probe sonicator (Branson sonifier), in order to induce an efficient dispersion of nanotubes in Rubber Composite. This process is extended by preparing different composites by dissolving varying proportion of MWCNT’s with fixed composition of Rubber-Nanoclay. DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) teston the obtained Rubber composites showed enhancement in Mechanical and Thermal properties.

Index Terms—Carbon Nanotubes, MWCNT’s, Raw Rubber, Nanoclay.

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Cite: S. S Varun Shankar, R. Dinesh, B. vinoth and T. oliver thomas, "Experimental Study on Manufacture and Analysis of Rubber Nanoclay Mwcnt Composite," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 181-183, 2010.