1. Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble INP) – The International School of Paper, Print Media and Biomaterials (Pagora), BP 65, F38402 Saint Martin d'Hères Cedex, France;2. Laboratory of Bioorganic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Cadi Ayyad University, Avenue Abdelkrim El Khattabi – BP 549, 40000 Marrakech, Morocco;3. Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5223, Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, F‐69622 Villeurbanne, France
Abstract:
A series of nanocomposite films based on natural rubber (NR), Na+‐montmorillonite (MMT), and cellulose whiskers (W) was prepared, keeping a total filler content equal to 5 wt.‐%. In the binary NR/MMT system, small stacks of intercalated montmorillonites were homogeneously dispersed within the polymer matrix whereas they were clearly lying in the vicinity of cellulose whiskers in the ternary NR/MMT/W blends. The effects of MMT and W on mechanical and gas barrier properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated. A significant increase of the rubbery modulus was obtained upon filler addition. The reinforcing effect was particularly important for the nanocomposite film reinforced with 1 wt.‐% MMT and 4 wt.‐% W. The improvement of the gas barrier properties observed upon filler addition was explained by a tortuosity effect. The calculated tortuosity values indicated that the simultaneous use of MMT and W could greatly slow down the gas diffusion rate in NR. Formation of MMT‐W subassembly should be responsible for this synergism effect.
