The influence of molybdenum disulfide nanoplatelets on the dispersion of nano silica in natural rubber composites

The dispersion of nanofiller in polymer composites is critical in governing the ultimate performances. Present study aimed to improve the dispersion of silica in elastomeric materials based on natural rubber (NR) composites using the nanoplatelets of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a graphene-like layered inorganic. NR latex was co-coagulated with MoS2 suspension to form NR/MoS2 compounds (1∼5phr). Then silica (30phr) was incorporated into NR/MoS2 compounds, followed by curing with sulfur, to obtained NR/MoS2/silica composites. The dispersion state of silica in the composites was examined by TEM and the effects of MoS2 on the performance of the composites were investigated. It was found that a small amount of MoS2 nanoplatelets significantly improved the silica dispersion. Consequently, the static and dynamic mechanical properties of the crosslinked natural rubber materials were greatly enhanced. The improved dispersion of silica is associated with charge transfer interaction, giving rise to electrostatic repulsion among silica.