Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Review of Natural Rubber Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes

  • Published:
Journal of Rubber Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The original form of Natural Rubber (NR) has limited usage despite its excellent elasticity and reversible deformability. Further improvement of its undesired properties, i.e. low hardness, durability and tear resistance will allow for application of NR on a broader scale. Traditional reinforcing materials such as carbon black have indicated improvement in NR-based composites. However, the increasing range of newly emerging applications comprising polymeric composites motivates researchers to focus on developing NR-based composites with better physical properties. Many nanoscale fillers have been widely researched to attain extraordinary properties in NR based products. Among the different nanostructures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely examined for NR modification.Addition of a tiny amount of well-dispersed CNTs to NR allows for significant improvements in physical properties of NR. Preparing nanocomposites comprising CNTs and other types of fillers also demonstrates enhancement of NR properties. Besides improvements in mechanical properties, the presence of CNTs considerably improves other properties of NR, such as thermal stability as well as electrical and thermal conductivity. However, owing to interactions between individual CNTs as well as CNTs and other components (NR or other fillers), property improvement varies depending on the type of fillers and their ratio in NR. This review summarises the reported processing conditions and property improvements in NR reinforced with CNTs as a solefiller or with other additive fillers. This paper will help to better understand the status of research on developing an NR/CNT nanocomposite and discover challenges and obstacles that need to be resolved.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. VAYSSE, L., RICOBONFILS, F., THALER, PH. AND SAINTE-BEUVE, A. (2009) Natural Rubber, Chapter 9.5, RSC Green Chemistry No. 4, Sustainable Solutions for Modern Economies, Edited by Rainer Hoferr, The Royal Society of Chemistry.

    Google Scholar 

  2. MARK, J. E., ERMAN, B. AND EIRICH, F. R. (2005) Science and Technology of Rubber, USA and UK: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  3. ZHAO, Q., TANNENBAUM, R. AND JACOB, K. I. (2006) Carbon Nanotubes as Raman Sensors of Vulcanization in Natural Rubber. Carbon, 44 (9), 1740–1745.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. APREM, A. S., JOSEPH, K. AND THOMAS, S. (2005) Recent Developments in Crosslinking of Elastomers. Rubb. Chem. Technol., 78 (3), 458–488.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. RAJAN, V. V., DIERKES, W. K., JOSEPH, R. AND NOORDERMEER, J. W. (2006) Science and Technology of Rubber Reclamation With Special Attention to NR-Based Waste Latex Products. Progress in Polym. Sci., 31 (9), 811–834.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. ZHANG, A., WANG, L., LIN, Y. AND MI, X. (2006) Carbon Black Filled Powdered Natural Rubber: Preparation, Particle Size Distribution, Mechanical Properties, and Structures. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 101 (3), 1763–1774.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. LUKSAMEEVANISH, V., SEADAN, M. AND KOPOONPAT, S. (2006) Shape Factor and Carbon Black Loading Effect on FEA Prediction of Bearing Behaviour. J. Rubb. Res., 9(3), 159–177.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. CAI, H. H., LI, S. D., TIAN, G. R., WANG, H. B. AND WANG, J. H. (2003) Reinforcement of Natural Rubber Latex Film By Ultrafne Calcium Carbonate. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 87 (6), 982–985.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. ROSLIM, R. AND HASHIM, M. A. (2010) Effect of Filler on Physical Properties and Surface Morphology of Natural Rubber Latex Films. J. Rubb. Res., 13 (2), 125–138.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. NURAYA, A. S., BAHARIN, A., AZURA, A. R., HAKIM, M. M. R., MAZLAN, I., ADNAN, M. AND NOORAZIAH, A. A. (2012) Reinforcement of Prevulcanised Natural Rubber Latex Films by Banana Stem Powder and Comparison with Silica and Calcium Carbonate. J. Rubb. Res., 15 (2), 124–140.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. ARROYO, M., LOPEZ-MANCHADO, M. A. AND HERRERO, B. (2003) Organo-Montmorillonite As Substitute of Carbon Black in Natural Rubber Compounds. Polym., 44 (8), 2447–2453.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. MATHEW, S.H. E. R. A. AND VARGHESE, S. (2005) Natural Rubber Latex-Based Nanocomposites with Layered Silicates. J. Rubb. Res., 8(1), 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  13. SARKAWI, S. S., KAEWSAKUL, W., SAHAKARO, K., DIERKES, W. K. AND NOORDERMEER, J. W. (2015) A Review on Reinforcement of Natural Rubber by Silica Fillers For Use in Low-Rolling Resistance Tires. J. Rubb. Res., 18 (4), 203–233.

    Google Scholar 

  14. ANGELLIER, H., MOLINA-BOISSEAU, S. AND DUFRESNE, A. (2005) Mechanical Properties of Waxy Maize Starch Nanocrystal Reinforced Natural Rubber. Macromol., 38 (22), 9161–9170.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. JIANG, H. X., NI, Q. Q. AND NATSUKI, T. (2011) Design and Evaluation of The Interface Between Carbon Nanotubes and Natural Rubber. Polym. Compos., 32 (2), 236–242.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. QURESHI, M. N. AND QAMMAR, H. (2010) Mill Processing and Properties of Rubber—Clay Nanocomposites. Mater. Sci. Eng.: C, 30 (4), 590–596.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. LORENZ, H., FRITZSCHE, J., DAS, A., STÖCKELHUBER, K. W., JURK, R., HEINRICH, G. AND KLÜPPEL, M. (2009) Advanced Elastomer Nano-Composites Based on CNT-Hybrid Filler Systems. Compos. Sci. Technol., 69(13), 2135–2143.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. KHANLARI, S. AND KOKABI, M. (2011) Thermal Stability, Aging Properties, and Flame Resistance of NR-Based Nanocomposite. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 119(2), 855–862.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. VARGHESE, S. AND KARGER-KOCSIS, J. (2004) Melt-Compounded Natural Rubber Nanocomposites with Pristine and Organophilic Layered Silicates of Natural and Synthetic Origin. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 91(2), 813–819.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. PEIGNEY, A., COQUAY, P., FLAHAUT, E., VANDENBERGHE, R. E., DE GRAVE, E. AND LAURENT, C. (2001) A Study of The Formation of Single and Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by A CVD Method. J. Phys. Chem. B, 105(40), 9699–9710.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. AJAYAN, P. M. (1999) Nanotubes From Carbon. Chem. Rev., 99 (7), 1787–1800.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. YU, M. F., LOURIE, O., DYER, M. J., MOLONI, K., KELLY, T. F. AND RUOFF, R. S. (2000). Strength and Breaking Mechanism of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Under Tensile Load. Sci., 287(5453), 637–640.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. SAITO, R., DRESSELHAUS, G. AND DRESSELHAUS, M. S. (1998) Physical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes. London: World Scientifc.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  24. GAO, G., CAGIN, T. AND GODDARD III, W. A. (1998) Energetics, Structure, Mechanical and Vibrational Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Nanotechnol., 9(3), 184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. DRESSELHAUS, M. S., DRESSELHAUS, G. AND EKLUND, P. C. (1996) Science of Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes: Their Properties and Applications. USA: Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  26. COLEMAN, J. N., KHAN, U., BLAU, W. J. AND GUN’KO, Y. K. (2006) Small But Strong: A Review of The Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube—Polymer Composites. Carbon, 44 (9), 1624–1652.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. BHATTACHARYYA, S., SINTUREL, C., BAHLOUL, O., SABOUNGI, M. L., THOMAS, S. AND SALVETAT, J. P. (2008) Improving Reinforcement of Natural Rubber by Networking of Activated Carbon Nanotubes. Carbon, 46 (7), 1037–1045.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. PENG, Z., FENG, C., LUO, Y., LI, Y. AND KONG, L. X. (2010) Self-Assembled Natural Rubber/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites Using Latex Compounding Techniques. Carbon, 48(15), 4497–4503.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. PENG, Z., FENG, C., LUO, Y, LI, Y., YI, Z. AND KONG, L. X. (2012) Natural Rubber/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composites Developed With A Combined Self-Assembly and Latex Compounding Technique. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 125(5), 3920–3928.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. JIANG, M. J., DANG, Z. M. AND XU, H. P. (2007) Giant Dielectric Constant and Resistance-Pressure Sensitivity in Carbon Nanotubes/Rubber Nanocomposites With Low Percolation Threshold. Appl. Phys. Lett., 90 (4), 042914.

    Google Scholar 

  31. THOMAS, P. S., ABDULLATEEF, A. A., AL-HARTHI, M. A., BASFAR, A. A., BANDYOPADHYAY, S., ATIEH, M. A. AND DE, S. K. (2012) Effect of Phenol Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes on Properties of Natural Rubber Nanocomposites. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 124 (3), 2370–2376.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. XIE, X. L., MAI, Y. W. AND ZHOU, X. P. (2005) Dispersion and Alignment of Carbon Nanotubes in Polymer Matrix: A Review. Mater. Sci. Eng.: R: Reports, 49 (4), 89–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. CHATTERJEE, T. AND KRISHNAMOORTI, R. (2008) Steady Shear Response of Carbon Nanotube Networks Dispersed in Poly (Ethylene Oxide). Macromol., 41(14), 5333–5338.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. TASIS, D., TAGMATARCHIS, N., BIANCO, A. AND PRATO, M. (2006) Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes. Chem. Rev., 106 (3), 1105–1136.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. ZHAN, Y. H., LIU, G. Q., XIA, H. S. AND YAN, N. (2011) Natural Rubber/Carbon Black/Carbon Nanotubes Composites Prepared Through Ultrasonic Assisted Latex Mixing Process. Plas. Rubb. Compos, 40 (1), 32–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. SUI, G., ZHONG, W., YANG, X. AND ZHAO, S. (2007) Processing and Material Characteristics of a Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Natural Rubber. Macromol. Mater. Eng., 292 (9), 1020–1026.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. FAKHRU’L-RAZI, A., ATIEH, M. A., GIRUN, N., CHUAH, T. G., EL-SADIG, M. AND BIAK, D. R. A. (2006). Effect of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes on The Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber. Compos. Structures, 75 (1), 496–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. ATIEH, M. A., GIRUN, N., MAHDI, E. S., TAHIR, H., GUAN, C. T., ALKHATIB, M. F. AND BAIK, D. R. (2006) Effect of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes on The Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber. Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nonstructures, 14 (4), 641–649.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. DAS, A., STÖCKELHUBER, K. W., JURK, R., FRITZSCHE, J., KLÜPPEL, M. AND HEINRICH, G. (2009) Coupling Activity of Ionic Liquids Between Diene Elastomers and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Carbon, 47(14), 3313–3321.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. BOKOBZA, L. (2007) Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Elastomeric Composites: A Review. Polym., 48(17), 4907–4920.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. TARAWNEH, M. A. A., AHMAD, S. H., NOUM, S. Y. E., & AHMAD, K. Z. K. (2011) Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Composites Reinforced with OMMT, Mwnts, and Hybrid OMMT—Mwnts. J. Reinforced Plast. Compos., 30(20), 1745–1752.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. ENDO, M., NOGUCHI, T., ITO, M., TAKEUCHI, K., HAYASHI, T., KIM, Y. A. AND DRESSELHAUS, M. S. (2008) Extreme-Performance Rubber Nanocomposites for Probing and Excavating Deep Oil Resources Using Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. Adv. Funct. Mater., 18(21), 3403–3409.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. KUESENG, K. AND JACOB, K. I. (2006) Natural Rubber Nanocomposites with Sic Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes. Eur. Polym. J., 42 (1), 220–227.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. ABDULLATEEF, A. A., THOMAS, S. P., AL-HARTHI, M. A., DE, S. K., BANDYOPADHYAY, S., BASFAR, A. A. AND ATIEH, M. A. (2012) Natural Rubber Nanocomposites with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes: Mechanical, Dynamic Mechanical, and Morphology Studies. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 125(S1).

    Google Scholar 

  45. CATALDO, F., URSINI, O. AND ANGELINI, G (2009) MWCNTs Elastomer Nanocomposite, Part 1: The Addition of MWCNTs to a Natural Rubber-based Carbon Black-filled Rubber Compound. Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures, 17 (1), 38–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. ISMAIL, H., RAMLY, A. F. AND OTHMAN, N. (2011) The Effect of Carbon Black/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Fillers on the Properties of Natural Rubber Nanocomposites. Polym. Plast. Technol. Eng., 50 (7), 660–666.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. IVANOSKA-DACIKJ, A., BOGOEVA-GACEVA, G., ROOJ, S., WIENER, S. AND HEINRICH, G. (2015) Fine Tuning of the Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites by Organically Modifed Montmorillonite: A First Step in Obtaining High-Performance Damping Material Suitable for Seismic Application. Appl. Clay Sci., 118, 99–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. NAKARAMONTRI, Y., NAKASON, C., KUMMERLÖWE, C. AND VENNEMANN, N. (2015) Effects of in-Situ Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes with Bis (Triethoxysilylpropyl) Tetrasulfde (TESPT) and 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber—Carbon Nanotube Composites. Polym. Eng. Sci., 55(11), 2500–2510.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. WANG, D., FUJINAMI, S., NAKAJIMA, K., NIIHARA, K. I., INUKAI, S., UEKI, H. AND NISHI, T. (2010) Production of a Cellular Structure in Carbon Nanotube/Natural Rubber Composites Revealed by Nanomechanical Mapping. Carbon, 48(13), 3708–3714.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. SUI, G., ZHONG, W. H., YANG, X. P. AND YU, Y. H. (2008) Curing Kinetics and Mechanical Behavior of Natural Rubber Reinforced with Pretreated Carbon Nanotubes. Mater. Sci. Eng.: A, 485 (1), 524–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. SHANMUGHARAJ, A. M., BAE, J. H., LEE, K. Y., NOH, W. H., LEE, S. H. AND RYU, S. H. (2007) Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized with Aminosilane and its Infuence on the Properties of Natural Rubber Composites. Compos. Sci. Technol., 67 (9), 1813–1822.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. GEORGE, N., CHANDRA, J., MATHIAZHAGAN, A. AND JOSEPH, R. (2015) High Performance Natural Rubber Composites with Conductive Segregated Network of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes. Compos. Sci. Technol., 116, 33–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. ANAND K. A., JOSE T. S., ALEX, R. AND JOSEPH, R. (2009) Natural Rubber-Carbon Nanotube Composites through Latex Compounding. Int. J. Polymeric Mater., 59 (1), 33–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. JUNKONG, P., KUESENG, P., WIRASATE, S., HUYNH, C. AND RATTANASOM, N. (2015) Cut Growth and Abrasion Behaviour, and Morphology of Natural Rubber Filled with MWCNT and MWCNT/Carbon Black. Polym. Testing, 41, 172–183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. NAKARAMONTRI, Y., NAKASON, C., KUMMERLÖE, C. AND VENNEMANN, N. (2016) Enhancement of Electrical Conductivity and Filler Dispersion of Carbon Nanotube Filled Natural Rubber Composites by Latex Mixing and in situ Silanization. Rubb. Chem. Technol., 89 (2), 272–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. BOKOBZA, L. (2012) Enhanced Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Rubber Composites. Polym. Adv. Technol., 23(12), 1543–1549.

    Google Scholar 

  57. SAGAR, S., IQBAL, N., MAQSOOD, A. AND BASSYOUNI, M. (2014) MWCNTS Incorporated Natural Rubber Composites: Thermal Insulation, Phase Transition and Mechanical Properties. Int. J. Eng. Technol., 6(3), 168.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. LIANG, F. ET AL. (2004) A Convenient Route to Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes, Nano Lett., 4, 1257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. GEORGAKILAS V., KORDATOS K., PRATO M., D. M. GULDI, HOLZINGER M. AND HIRSCH A. (2002) Organic Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 124, 760.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. HOLZINGER, M., ABRAHAM, J., WHELAN, P., GRAUPNER, R., LEY, L., HENNRICH, F., KAPPES, M. AND HIRSCH, A. (2003) Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with (R-) Oxycarbonyl Nitrenes, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125, 8566.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. COLEMAN, K. S., BAILEY, S. R., FOGDEN, S. AND GREEN, M. L. H. (2003) Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes via the Bingel Reaction, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125, 8722.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. PONNAMMA, D., SADASIVUNI, K. K., GROHENS, Y., GUO, Q. AND THOMAS, S. (2014) Carbon Nanotube Based Elastomer Composites—An Approach Towards Multifunctional Materials. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2(40), 8446–8485.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. KARIMI, M., SOLATI, N., AMIRI, M., MIRSHEKARI, H., MOHAMED, E., TAHERI, M. AND GHASEMI, A. (2015) Carbon Nanotubes Part I: Preparation of A Novel and Versatile Drug-delivery Vehicle. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 12 (7), 1071–1087.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. BOONSTRA, B.B. (1987) Reinforcing Fillers. Chapter 7. In Rubber Technology and Manufacture. BLOW, C.M. AND HEPBURN, C. (eds.), London: Butterworths.

  65. AZIZ, S. A. A., MAZLAN, S. A., ISMAIL, N. N., KHAIRI, M. H. A. AND YUNUS, N. A. (2017, January) Rheological Properties of Carbon Nanotubes-Reinforced Magnetorheological Elastomer. J. Phys.: Conference Series (Vol. 795, No.1, p. 012074). IOP Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  66. AZIZ, S. A. A., MAZLAN, S. A., ISMAIL, N. I. N. AND CHOI, S. B. (2018) Implementation of Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes on Magnetorheological Elastomer. J. Mater. Sci., 53(14), 10122–10134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, 7618868366, Kerman, Iran

    Firoozeh Danafar & Maryam Kalantari

Authors
  1. Firoozeh Danafar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maryam Kalantari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Firoozeh Danafar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Danafar, F., Kalantari, M. A Review of Natural Rubber Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes. J Rubber Res 21, 293–310 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03449176

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03449176

Keywords

Search

Navigation