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A Green Approach for Preparing High-Loaded Sepiolite/Polymer Biocomposites
Barbara Di Credico1, Irene Tagliaro2, Elkid Cobani3
1Department of Materials Science, INSTM, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi, 55, 20125 Milano, Italy. barbara.dicredico@unimib.it.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 4, 2019
Summary
This study introduces a sustainable method for creating natural rubber composites using sepiolite fibers. The latex compounding technique yields high-performance, eco-friendly biocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Growing industrial demand for sustainable and renewable materials.
- Need for eco-friendly synthetic routes to reduce environmental impact.
- Challenges in dispersing hydrophilic fillers in rubber matrices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel biocomposites using natural rubber latex (NRL) and sepiolite (Sep) fibers.
- To investigate an eco-friendly latex compounding technique (LCT) for filler dispersion.
- To enhance the mechanical properties of sepiolite/natural rubber (Sep/NR) biocomposites.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the latex compounding technique (LCT) for direct mixing of Sep fibers with NRL.
- Investigating physicochemical parameters controlling Sep aggregation in aqueous media.
- Analyzing the dispersion and network formation of Sep within the NR matrix.
Main Results:
- Achieved homogeneous dispersion of hydrophilic Sep fibers in NRL without surfactants.
- Proposed a flocculation mechanism for Sep aggregation.
- Demonstrated improved mechanical performance of Sep/NR biocomposites compared to melt-mixed materials due to uniform dispersion and percolative filler network.
Conclusions:
- The LCT is a suitable sustainable procedure for producing high-loaded clay-rubber nanocomposites.
- The developed Sep/NR biocomposites exhibit remarkable mechanical features.
- This approach offers a greener alternative for advanced material production.
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