Mechanical and swelling behavior of green nanocomposites of natural rubber latex and tubular shaped halloysite nano clay

Nanocomposites based on natural rubber latex as the matrix and naturally occurring tubular shaped nanoclay, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as the reinforcing phase were prepared through co‐coagulation method. XRD, morphology, mechanical, and solvent transport properties of the nanocomposites with special reference to weight percentage of nanoclay were analyzed and discussed in detail. Matrix–filler interaction was estimated from Kraus, Cunneen–Russell, and Lorentz–Park plots. Theoretical estimation of reinforcement effect revealed a better interaction between rubber and filler at lower concentration of filler. At higher loading properties decreased due to the formation of filler–filler networks than polymer–filler networks resulting in the reduction of aspect ratio of fillers. Properties of nanocomposites depend on the aspect ratio and volume fraction of reinforcing filler. Morphological analyses of the nanocomposites were done in detail from scanning electron micrographs. Theoretical modulus of nanocomposites was computed using different composite theories by varying the aspect ratio of filler and compared with experimental data. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical values was observed at lower concentration of filler. Solvent transport properties of nanocomposites were found to decrease at lower concentration of HNT because of the tortuosity of the path. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:602–611, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers