https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:2004205
Thermally stimulated current measurements on epoxidized natural rubber (ENR50) – organically modified montmorillonite composite
Materials Science Laboratory, Physics Department, University of Malaya,
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Corresponding author: abdrashid_4@hotmail.com
Received:
5
May
2004
Revised:
15
August
2004
Accepted:
7
September
2004
Published online:
23
November
2004
Composites consisting of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and organically
modified montmorillonite (OMON) in the ratio of 70:30 by weight percent have
been synthesized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were made to estimate
the basal plane spacing between the layered structures of the
montmorillonite (MON) before and after it was organically modified and also
for the composite. The increment in basal spacing of 1.758 nm indicated that
intercalation of ENR-50 chains occurred in the silicate layers with the
ammonium ion being attached to the layers after the modification. TSC
measurements indicated that the intercalation resulted in a suppression of
the 
peak of the ENR around -25 °C which is also referred to
as the Tg of the material. Two new and broader peaks around 30 °C
and 73 °C appeared in the composite. The suppression of the peak may be
interpreted as a result of the increasing rigidity due to the
three-dimensional network of physical links formed.
PACS: 81.05.Lg – Polymers and plastics; rubber; synthetic and natural fibers; organometallic and organic materials / 82.45.Wx – Polymers and organic materials in electrochemistry
© EDP Sciences, 2005
