Robust shape memory chlorobutyl rubber/boron nitride polymer nanocomposites for oil-water separation application

Background: Boron nitride (h-BN), an excellent 2D material finds exceptional applications in various fields owing to its unique characteristics including excellent hydrophobicity. Incorporation of boron nitride in polymer matrices is a captivating strategy by the scientific community to tune the properties of polymer. Interestingly, the possibilities of incorporating h-BN in chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) matrix has never been considered and tried till now. Moreover, the use of CIIR to create a clean environment and reduce water pollution is an unexplored area even though the CIIR rubber possess excellent barrier properties. Methods: In this work, two techniques were used for the fabrication of BNNS/CIIR nanocomposite. We exfoliated h-BN via chemical exfoliation method and tried the reinforcement of CIIR with BNNS via solution intercalation method. Shape memory analysis was performed with the help of stearic acid and oil-water separation analysis was achieved through an easy experimental technique. Significant findings: Enhanced mechanical strength of 11.57 MPa, improved thermal degradation temperature and char yield, higher glass transition temperature of -45.98 degrees were observed for BNNS/CIIR nanocomposite reinforced with higher BNNS loading owing to the uniform distribution and better intercalation of BNNS in CIIR. Excellent shape memory was exhibited by CIIR matrix when reinforced up to 5 g BNNS. In addition, the nanocomposites displayed excellent ability to perform oil-water separation with increase in BNNS loading owing to the good hydrophobic character of h-BN and inherent barrier properties of CIIR. Thus, the study proved successful towards the fabrication of advanced CIIR nanocomposites with excellent shape memory and oil water separation efficiency.