PAPER CANCELLED: Discrete, Surface Modified Carbon Nanotube-Rubber Formulations: Effect of Method of Incorporation on Dispersion and Mechanical Properties

A superior method of addition of discrete, surface modified multiwall carbon nanotubes (MOLECULAR REBAR^®, MR) is developed for rubber based formulations using a dry liquid concentrate. Dispersion and mechanical properties of the formulations prepared with MR and unmodified multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are compared. MR filled rubber formulations exhibited excellent dispersion over the formulations with MWCNT when used at 3 parts per hundred rubber (phr) and 75 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of carbon black. Due to the better adherence of these surface functionalized and disentangled MR in the rubber matrix, the formulations with MR exhibited better mechanical properties and improved processability compared with MWCNT filled rubber formulations. Sequence of addition, time of mixing, and curing chemistries are also investigated.

Keywords: MOLECULAR REBAR^®, multiwall carbon nanotubes, NBR, rubber formulations