The Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Modified by Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Filled with Methyl Methacrylate Are Highly Enhanced

Conductive elastomer composites (CECs) have attracted extensive attention in academia and industry for decades due to their light weight, adjustable conductivity, corrosion resistance and good workability. They have been used in a variety of applications such as strain-sensing materials, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, antistatic shielding, electronic sensors, and stretchable conductors. Among carbon-based fillers, carbon nanotubes (CNTS) are nanofillers known for their high aspect ratio, high surface area and superior electrical properties. However, due to the fluffy appearance, strong van der Waals forces, high aspect ratio and nano size, it is difficult to obtain uniform dispersion in the rubber matrix, which is conducive to packing aggregation and poor dispersion.

In this study, natural rubber (NR) functionalized with poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was prepared, which had strong interfacial interaction with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), thus improving the properties of natural rubber nanocomposites. MWCNT and methyl methacrylate functional groups have good dispersion, conductivity and tensile properties. The packing network in the matrix was studied by microscope and nonlinear viscoelastic Angle. Maier-Goritze method shows that PMMA functionalized NR is beneficial to MWCNT network formation, and the electrical and mechanical penetration thresholds are reduced. The physical properties of MWCNT/ methyl methacrylate functionalized natural rubber nanocomposites are significantly improved due to the interface interaction and the reduction of filler agglomeration in NR matrix. The modification of NR with poly (methyl methacrylate) and MWCNT filler is an effective way to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of natural rubber nanocomposites.

DOI：10.1016/j.polymertesting.2020.106417