Novel peroxide-vulcanized NBR-PAni.DBSA blends, part 2: Effects of conductive filler particles alignment

Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) vulcanized poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)-polyaniline dodecylbenzenesulfonate [NBR-PAni.DBSA] blends were successfully prepared by using the practical thermomechanical mixing method. The effect of alignment of PAni.DBSA particles on the mechanical and electrical properties of vulcanized blends was studied (by passing the blends through a two roll-mills). All vulcanized blends strained parallel to the flow direction when passed through the two roll-mills had their electrical conductivities enhanced with increasing strain in tension. Good historical memory in term of the electrical conductivities during three cycles of straining (with 300 times of strain loading and unloading motion for each cycle) was observed for all vulcanized blends (99% retention of original value before straining). These vulcanized blends also showed better mechanical properties (i.e., higher tensile strength and tear strength) than the ones strained perpendicularly to the flow direction. With the ideal mechanical properties and reversible electrical behavior, this type of blend can potentially emerge as a new class of flexible smart material. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012