comparative study of the modified phyllosilicate group of minerals isoprene for a new nanocomposite preparation

In this study, new nanocomposites of biopolymers were prepared. Sunflower oil synthesized fatty amides (FASF), used as an organic compound to change the natural group of mineral clay phyllosilicate, sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) and potassium illite (KILT). The clay modification was accomplished by stirring the clay particles in an aqueous (FASF) solution which increases the clay layer distance from 1.28 to 2.79 nm of MMT and 1.18 to 1.33 nm of ILT because the action exchange capacity NaMMT is much greater than the low cation exchange capacity KILT. The improved Na-MMT was then used as a natural rubber (NR) nanocomposite isoprene preparation. The modifier’s interaction in the clay layer was defined by Xray diffraction (XRD). The nanocomposite was synthesized through melt mixing of modified clay (MMT) and NR by a traditional method. Using XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the nanocomposite was characterized. The results of XRD and TEM verified nanocomposite growth. Compared to pure NR, NR modified MMT nanocomposites show higher thermal stability. FASF as a vegetable oil derivative to modify clay will reduce dependence on surfactants based on petroleum. Such nanocomposite is considered environmentally friendly in addition to renewable resources.