High-performance natural rubber latex composites developed by a green approach using ionic liquid-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified by a hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs), including 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, was studied. The obtained water-suspensible carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were still homogeneously distributed in water a month after sonication. The microstructural development of filler networks and the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the presence of IL were analyzed by TEM. The apparent physical (cation-/-) interaction between the MWCNTs and the IL was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, DSC, and TGA. Furthermore, high-performance composites of natural rubber latex (NRL) and CNTs modified with IL were obtained by the liquid latex blending method. The CNTs were homogeneously distributed in the matrix and CNT-ILs improved the fatigue resistance and mechanical properties of the NRL/CNT-IL composites. This study demonstrates a simple and eco-friendly approach to develop multifunctional advanced materials based on IL-modified MWCNT elastomer composites. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46588.