Modification of Talc@TiO2 toward high-performance nitrile rubber application

Abstract

To improve the dispersion of talcum powder (Talc) for polymer applications, modified nano-titania powders (TiO₂) using a silane coupling agent (KH550), a titanate coupling agent (NDZ201) and sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) were well adhered to the surface of Talc with a ball milling method, thereby preparing a series of mixed Talc@TiO₂ particles to realize good dispersion in carboxylated acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (XNBR). Note that Talc@TiO₂ particles modified by PAAS and NDZ201 show better colloidal dispersion in anhydrous ethanol due to organification and repulsion of charge, with original Talc and NDZ201 modified Talc@TiO₂ powders as a comparison. Modified Talc@TiO₂ hybrid XNBR shows good performance characteristics, including damping capacity and impact resistance, depending mainly on the excellent mechanical property of Talc, good dispersion and the high adhesive force between modified Talc@TiO₂ and XNBR.