Modification of α-ZrP nanofillers by amines of different chain length: Consequences on the morphology and mechanical properties of styrene butadiene rubber based nanocomposites

An aqueous slurry of alpha-ZrP lamellar nanofillers has been modified by amine type surfactants. The influence of the alkylamine chain length and of the cationic exchange rate on the nanofiller d-spacing has been analyzed. The strength of the interactions formed between the intercalating agent and the filler has been studied by Infra Red Spectroscopy (FUR), Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (P-31 MAS NMR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Different routes allowing to obtain optimized filler properties while minimizing the surfactant weight amount have been proposed from the detailed analysis of the intercalation mechanism. Styrene Butadiene Rubber nanocomposites have been prepared directly from the different slurries of modified alpha-ZrP. The dispersion of the organophilic alpha-ZrP in the SBR matrix has been characterized and the mechanical properties of the corresponding nanocomposites have been determined and discussed as a function of the filler modification, of the nanocomposite morphology and of the filler/matrix interfacial properties. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.