Preparation and characterization of natural rubber latex/modified montmorillonite clay nano-composite

In this study, new biopolymer nano-composites have been prepared. Fatty amides (FAs) which were synthesized from palm olein, have been used as an organic compound to modify natural clay, sodium montmorillonite. The clay modification was carried out by stirring the clay particles in an aqueous solution of FAs by which the clay layer distance increases from 1.24 to 2.65 nm. The modified clay was then used in the preparation of the natural rubber (NR) nano-composite. The interaction of the modifier in the clay layer was characterized by ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared. The nano-composite was synthesized by melt blending of the modified clay and NR. The nano-composite was then characterized using XRD, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile properties measurements. The XRD and transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the production of nano-composites. NR-modified clay nano-composites show higher thermal stability and significant improvement of mechanical properties in comparison with those of the pure NR.