Incorporation of nano-sized mesoporous MCM-41 material used as fillers in natural rubber composite

Research highlights: → Mesoporous MCM-41 as reinforcing filler to polymers was used in our previous study. → Few paper has mentioned this kind of filler in rubber. → Modification of MCM-41 as reinforcing filler in natural rubber was studied. → The reinforcing effect was remarkable. - Abstract: The nano-sized mesoporous MCM-41 (without template), and the modification of MCM-41 (without template) were used to prepare natural rubber (NR) composites. The effects of coupling agents γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH-550), γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570), bis-(γ-triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfide (Si-69), isopropyl tri-(dioctylpyrophosphate)titanate (NDZ-201) on the mechanical properties of the composites were also investigated. The results showed that the tensile properties of Natural rubber/mesoporous MCM-41 nanocomposite were improved as compared with those of NR compound. KH-570 had good effect on enhancing the overall properties of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that the modified nano-sized MCM-41 material was well dispersed in the polymer matrix and the enhancement of the interface between the matrix and fillers was obtained.