Swelling and interfacial characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/natural rubber composites

We have studied the solvent resistance characteristics of non-cross-linked and cross-linked natural rubber composites reinforced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). All the MWCNTs were individually dispersed within the rubber matrix where a three-dimensional cellulation structure was created when the added amount of MWCNTs exceeded 16 wt%. The non-cross-linked MWCNT-filled rubber composite was not soluble, but swelled in toluene. Upon detailed studies on the dried sample, it was found that a new phase was formed due to a strong bonding between the MWCNTs and the rubber matrix resulting in the cellulation structure. We found that a continuous three-dimensional structure at the interface between the MWCNTs and the natural rubber was extremely tough, and thus contributed to the improvement in the elastic modulus and thermal stability of natural rubber composites.