Effects of MAH/St grafted nanocellulose on the properties of carbon reinforced styrene butadiene rubber

Nanocellulose was extracted from bagasse (bagasse nanocellulose, BNC) by hydrolysis with alkali and acid, then grafted by maleic anhydride (MAH) and styrene (St). The modified nanocellulose (BMS) was further investigated to partially replace carbon black (CB) in St butadiene rubber (SBR) composites via coagulation to prepare SBR/BMS/CB composites. Through the comparison of the vulcanization characteristics, processing properties, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical performance of them, BMS proved to be more efficient than BNC. The results showed that BMS could activate the vulcanization process, suppress the Payne effect, and increase the modulus and hardness. Moreover, a fine BMS dispersion and strong interfacial interaction were achieved in SBR/BMS/CB composites. The observed reinforcement effects were evaluated based on the results of G′, tanδ and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of SBR/BMS/CB in comparison with SBR/BNC/CB composites.