Mechanical, thermal and impedance properties of oil-extended EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites: Efficacy of MWCNT reinforcement

Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Raipur, Raipur-492 010, Chhattisgarh, India E-mail: spmahapatra.chy@nitrr.ac.in Manuscript received online 02 April 2020, accepted 15 June 2020 The systematic appraisal of mechanical, thermal and impedance characteristics of oil-extended ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber nanocomposites was conducted through incorporating different concentrations of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). Morphology and dispersion of MWCNT concentration in EPDM elastomer nanocomposites have been analyzed through both tools, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nanofiller impact on the mechanical features of prepared EPDM elastomer nanocomposites are improved as compared to neat EPDM elastomer owing to the reinforcing effect of MWCNT into EPDM matrix. The analysis of thermal stability of EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites was also conducted through differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It shows the capability of nanofiller in hindering the heat diffusion into elastomer matrix. Spectra of impedance analysis of EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites were also accomplished in the 100 Hz to 105 Hz frequency range at various concentrations of MWCNT. Study of impedance parameters revealed the significant changes in real impedance as well as imaginary part of impedance and also provides elucidations that will depend on the interfacial polarization and relaxation aspects of EPDM elastomer matrix. The magnitude of real impedance decreases with increasing frequency and MWCNT concentrations due to augmented conduction in EPDM elastomer nanocomposites and also the imaginary part of impedance shows relaxation peak which shifts towards higher frequency