Rubber network in elastomer nanocomposites

The influence of inorganic nanoparticles on crosslinking mechanism of elastomers has been evaluated by applying the tube model on equilibrium statistical mechanics. The results have shown that a highly ordered structure with a huge amount of entanglements, wherein the polymer is nanoscopically confined, is formed by the addition of nanoparticles. These physical links exhibit freedom of movement under stretching, but in a lower volume because of confinement. That is, network molecular parameters such as lateral tube dimensions or average molecular mass of the chains decreased in presence of nanoparticles.