β-cyclodextrin nanosponges (NS) based natural rubber latex (NR) nanocomposites: tensile, thermal and morphological characterization

In this work, a bionanocomposite obtained by reinforcing a natural rubber (NR) matrix with different amounts of -cyclodextrin nanosponges (NS) (10, 15 and 25 vol.%) was characterised under the tensile, thermal and morphological point of view. The morphology of the composite has been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). These studies indicated the presence of a co-continuous phase morphology and the uniform dispersion of the nanosponges in the NR matrix. Mechanical properties, such as stress-strain behaviour, tensile strength and modulus, elongation at break and tear properties were also measured. Compared to pure NR, NS-NR nanocomposite showed enhanced tensile strength (by around 80% maximum) and modulus (by more than 100% maximum) and tear properties (by around 90% maximum). Effectiveness of nanosponges on enhancing the mechanical properties is attributed by their formation of a three-dimensional network within the NR matrix. This effect was able to slightly increase the thermal stability of the nanocomposites (typically by around 5-10°C) with respect to NR, despite the fact that degradation of pure NS occurs at lower temperatures.