Fabrication,Characterization and Dielectric Studies of NBR/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites

Nitrile rubber (NBR) based nanocomposite consists of different concentrations of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA) were prepared and characterized by FTIR, UV and X-ray diffraction studies. The surface morphology of the nanocomposites were analyzed using SEM and optical microscopy. The glass transition temperature and thermal stability of NBR and its nanocomposites were done by DSC and TGA respectively. The electrical properties such as AC conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent were investigated in the frequency range of 10²–10⁶ Hz at room temperature. The FTIR spectra confirmed the interfacial interaction between NBR and the HA nanoparticles. The shift in the UV peak with broadness of composite indicates the formation of nanoparticles within the macromolecular chain of NBR. XRD pattern ascertained the ordered arrangement of nanoparticles with a decrease in the amorphous nature of parent polymer. Both the glass transition temperature and the thermal stability of the nanocomposites were higher than pure NBR and the glass transition temperature improved with the increase in concentration of nanoparticles in NBR composite indicating the strong interfacial adhesion between the polymer and nanoparticles. From DSC studies, thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy and entropy change of the composites were also evaluated. AC conductivity of the nanocomposite was much greater than NBR and the magnitude of conductivity enhanced with the addition of nanoparticles. The observed enhancement in dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent of composite with the increase in concentration of nanoparticle was attributed to the increase in number of interfacial interaction between the polymer and the nanoparticles.