High perfermance light-colored rubber nanocomposites

High performance light-colored rubber-inorganics nanocomposites were fabricated by the direct incorporation of sorbic acid (SA) in the filled rubber compounds. The mechanisms of largely improved performance were studied in details. The strong interfacial bonding between rubber matrix and the filler and significantly improved dispersion of the filler were resulted through SA intermediated linkages. Effect of SA on the vulcanization behavior, morphology and mechanical properties were studied. Formation of zinc disorbate (ZDS) and its reinforcing effect on rubber was investigated. High content of ZDS leaded to high ionic crosslink density and had a more significantly effect on enhancing the performance of rubber. The composites with high nanotubular clay content were found to be highly ionic crosslinked, optical transparent and exhibited high mechanical strength and heat resistance. The properties of the composites were ascribed to the strong interfacial interactions and the excellent dispersion of nanotubular clay.