High performance chlorinated natural rubber/zinc ferrite nanocomposite prepared through industrial compounding technique

Present innovation demonstrates the fabrication, characterisation, thermal, flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, vulcanization and mechanical properties of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) nanofiller inserted chlorinated natural rubber (Cl-NR) prepared by an industrial compounding technique. The interaction between ZnFe2O4 and Cl-NR was characterised by FT-IR. The uniform dispersion of nanofiller in the rubber matrix was confirmed by SEM and TEM analysis. XRD showed the structural changes of composite with the presence of crystalline peaks of ZnFe2O4 in chlorinated rubber. The flame retardancy and glass transition temperature of the rubber composites were significantly enhanced with the filler loading in chlorinated rubber was evident from LOI and DSC analysis, respectively. The vulcanization time of rubber nanocomposite was greatly reduced by the use of zinc ferrite that is an important factor for reducing the cost of the preparation of rubber goods. The tensile strength, tear resistance, modulus, hardness and heat build-up of nanocomposites were significantly increased with the addition of zinc ferrite whereas the abrasion loss, resilience and elongation at break were decreased. The electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of rubber nanocomposite were also investigated in various frequencies. The percolating network formed by ZnFe2O4 in Cl-NR results in the high electrical conductivity and dielectric behaviour of the fabricated composites. The higher mechanical properties, glass transition temperature and the electrical conductivity of fabricated composites were beneficial in designing lightweight and highly durable flexible electronic devices based on chlorinated natural rubber.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the fabrication and characterization of zinc ferrite nanofiller inserted chlorinated natural rubber composites. The addition of zinc ferrite significantly enhances the flame retardancy, glass transition temperature, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of the composites. The results suggest that the fabricated composites have potential applications in lightweight and highly durable flexible electronic devices.