Effect of silane coupling agent on the mechanical properties of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites

The effect of coupling agents on the mechanical properties of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) clay nanocomposites was studied using three different types of silane coupling agents, which were γ-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, γ-(mercaptopropyl) triethoxy silane, and bis-[(γ-triethoxy silane)proply] tetrasulfur. The NBR/OMMT nanocomposites were prepared via the melt compounding with OMMT clay. The effect of silane coupling agents on the dispersion of OMMT in the polymer matrix was studied by X-ray diffraction. Dynamic mechanical analysis was employed to investigate the mechanical properties change induced by the silane coupling agents. The results suggest improved mechanical properties for the nanocomposites with coupling agents of γ-(mercaptopropyl) triethoxy silane and bis-[(γ-triethoxy silane)proply] tetrasulfur, whereas reduced mechanical properties were observed for nanocomposites with γ-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane