Evaluation of Spectral, Thermal, Flame Retardant, Dielectric, Solvent Diffusion, and Transport Behavior of Novel Nanocomposite Derived from Chlorinated Styrene Butadiene Rubber and Manganous Tungstate

Novel nanocomposites based on chlorinated styrene butadiene rubber (CI-SBR) and manganous tungstate (MnWO4) nanoparticles have been developed using a simple and efficient open two roll mixing mill at room temperature. The nanocomposite containing varying loading of nanoparticles have been assessed for their spectral behavior, thermal, dielectric, flammability properties as well as the transport of aromatic solvents through their networks. Intermolecular interaction between the chlorinated moieties of SBR and MnWO4 has been revealed by Fourier transform infrared and UV-Vis spectral studies. The uniform dispersion of nanoparticles and the crystalline peaks of MnWO4 nanoparticles in Cl-SBR were observed from SEM and XRD, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis and flame resistance analysis showed that the thermal stability and flame retardancy of CI-SBR increased with increasing ratio of MnWO4 . The dielectric constant was much improved with the entire range of frequencies and the optimum dielectric constant was obtained for 7 phr loading. Transport parameters like the sorption, diffusion, and permeation coefficients were tabulated in terms of the nature of solvent, and the loading of nanoparticles. The solvent uptake reduced by the addition of nanoparticles up to 7 phr and thereafter the solvent uptake increases. The activation energy for the diffusion, sorption, and permeation process was evaluated and these values were highest in xylene at all filler loading. The mechanism of transport of the aromatic solvents through CI-SBR/MnWO4 nanocomposite was found to be anomalous mode. (C) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers