Effect of montmorillonite intercalant structure on the cure parameters of natural rubber

Two quaternary phosphonium salts (aromatic and aliphatic) have been used as intercalants for Na-montmorillonite and the effect of intercalant structure on clay morphology and natural rubber vulcanization kinetics was investigated. Due to its lower rigid structure the aliphatic salt was easier to intercalate into the clay galleries giving rise to a higher interlayer distance and facilitating the rubber intercalation obtaining an exfoliated structure in the nanocomposite. The vulcanization process was sensibly accelerated by this organoclay and a higher crosslinking degree was observed in the nanocomposite which gave rise to materials with improved processing and physical characteristics. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.