The clay mineral modifier as the key to steer the properties of rubber nanocomposites

An innovative organoclay containing polybutadiene chains was prepared in order to make rubber nanocomposites based on natural rubber or styrene-butadiene copolymer. It was obtained by reacting a maleinised polybutadiene oligomer with the single bond CH2CH2OH moieties present in the ammonium cation of a commercially available organoclay (Cloisite 30B). Elastomeric nanocomposites were also prepared with a reference organoclay, formed by intercalation during mixing with dialkyl dimethylammonium chloride. Sulphur cured nanocomposites were characterised in terms of curing kinetics, morphology, tensile and dynamic-mechanical properties; chemical interactions between the modifier of the new organoclay and the matrices can be inferred by experimental evidences.