Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2026
Structural evolution and enhanced thermal stability of composites based on isotactic polypropylene and nitrile-butadiene rubber reinforced with CoO nanoparticles
Nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene (PP), nitrile- butadiene rubber (NBR), and a nanofiller containing cobalt oxide nanoparticles stabilized by a low-density polyethylene matrix were obtained by mixing in a melt. The structural and morphological features of the obtained materials were studied using X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thermo-physical properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, and the mechanical characteristics were evaluated by measuring the tensile strength and elongation at break. It was found that the introduction of a nanofiller at a concentration of 1.0 wt% of the PP/NBR matrix leads to a significant increase in operational performance. The tensile strength increased from 13.76 to 21.69 MPa, and the elongation at break increased from 22% to 40%. The improvement in thermal stability is explained by the formation of a small-spherulite layered structure and increased interphase interactions. According to the AFM data, cobalt oxide nanoparticles act as artificial nucleation centers, acting as effective structural modifiers of the polymer matrix. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of directional regulation of the supramolecular architecture of composites to create high-strength, thermostable materials with improved morphological characteristics.
ZamanHUHunPDKhanRA, et al.Effect of surface-modified nanoparticles on the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of PP/CaCO3 nanocomposites. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2013; 26(8): 1057–1070. https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057114333
2.
WangLLangFLiS, et al.Thermoplastic elastomers based on high-density polyethylene and waste ground rubber tire composites compatibilized by styrene–butadiene block copolymer. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2013; 27(11): 1479–1492. https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057124736
3.
FazliARodrigueD. Thermoplastic elastomers based on recycled high-density polyethylene/ground tire rubber/ethylene vinyl acetate: effect of ground tire rubber regeneration on morphological and mechanical properties. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2022; 36: 2285–2310. https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057221095388
4.
RamazanovMAMaharramovAMAli-ZadaRA, et al.Theoretical and experimental investigation of the particle size distribution and magnetic properties of the PP + Fe3O4 nanocomposites. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2019; 33(1): 125–137. https://doi.org/10.1177/0892705718804578
5.
HajiyevaFVShirinovaHAJafarovMA, et al.Effect of magnetite nanoparticles on the structure, thermal and magnetic properties of the high-density polyethylene. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2026; 39(1): 82–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057251344268
6.
DejeneBK. Reviewing the manufacturing challenges and scientific debates: insights into the antibacterial capabilities and potential applications of PLA/ZnO nanocomposites. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2025; 38(7): 2779–2849. https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057241292298
PraveenKMTalebKPillinI, et al.Comparative mechanical, morphological, rheological, and thermal properties of polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber blends. Polym Adv Technol2022; 33(10): 3296–3311. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.5781
9.
NingNLiXTianH, et al.Unique microstructure of an oil resistant nitrile butadiene rubber/polypropylene dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer. RSC Adv2017; 7(9): 5451–5458. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA24891H
10.
MohiteASRajpurkarYDMoreAP. Bridging the gap between rubbers and plastics: a review on thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers. Polym Bull2022; 79: 1309–1343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-020-03522-8
11.
SunMXiaoVLiuK, et al.Synthesis and characterization of polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers: a review. Can J Chem Eng2023; 101(9): 4886–4906. https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.24825
12.
ReghunadhanAAkhinaHAjithaAR, et al.Chapter 11-Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) from rubber-plastic blends. In: Advance thermoplastic elastomers challenges and opportunities, 2014, pp. 291–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91758-2.00008-8
13.
UrtekinGUllahMSYildirimR, et al.A comprehensive review of the recent developments in thermoplastics and rubber blends‐based composites and nanocomposites. Polym Compos2023; 44(12): 8303–8329. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27712
14.
KakhramanovNAllahverdiyevaKGahramanliY, et al.Physical–mechanical properties of multifunctional thermoplastic elastomers based on polyolefins and styrene-butadiene elastomer. J Elastomers Plast2023; 55(2): 279–302. https://doi.org/10.1177/00952443221147030
15.
JosephAGeorgeSJKThomasS, et al.Melting and crystallization behaviors of isotactic polypropylene/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber blends in the presence and absence of compatibilizers and fillers. J Appl Polym Sci2006; 102(3): 2067–2080. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.23986
16.
TianMHanJWuH, et al.Effect of the compatibility on the morphology and properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber/polypropylene thermoplastic vulcanizates. J Appl Polym Sci2012; 124(3): 1999–2006. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.35222
17.
PrutEVMedintsevaTIKochanovaOV, et al.Influence of cross-linked system on morphology and properties of thermoplastic vulcanizates based on isotactic polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer. J Thermoplast Compos Mater2015; 28(8): 1202–1216. https://doi.org/10.1177/0892705713503850
18.
XuCZhengZWuW, et al.Dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM blends with balanced stiffness and toughness via in-situ compatibilization of MAA and excess ZnO nanoparticles: preparation, structure and properties. Compos B Eng2019; 160: 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.10.014
HemathMMavinkere RangappaSKushvahaV, et al.A comprehensive review on mechanical, electromagnetic radiation shielding, and thermal conductivity of fibers/inorganic fillers reinforced hybrid polymer composites. Polym Compos2020; 41(10): 3940–3965. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.25703
21.
AllahverdiyevaKVKakhramanovNTGurbanovaRV. Structural, electrical, and physical–mechanical properties of composites obtained based on filled polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers. RSC Adv2025; 15(9): 6541–6563. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra00105f
22.
de AlencarPGASoaresBGSilvaAA. Attaining low percolation threshold in conductive polypropylene/nitrile rubber thermoplastic vulcanizates using carbon nanotube. J Appl Polym Sci2021; 138(31): 49857. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.49857
23.
GuezzoutZBoubliaAHaddaouiN. Enhancing thermal and mechanical properties of polypropylene-nitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites through graphene oxide functionalization. J Polym Res2023; 30(6): 207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-023-03585-x
24.
Razavi‐NouriMNaderiGParvinA, et al.Thermal properties and morphology of isotactic polypropylene/acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber blends in the presence and absence of a nanoclay. J Appl Polym Sci2011; 121(3): 1365–1371. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.33752
25.
VolfsonSIZaikovGEOkhotinaNA, et al.Thermoplastic vulcanizates based on polypropylene and nitrile-butadiene rubber with modified organoclay. J Charact and Devl of Novel Materials2016; 8(2): 169.
26.
GuliyevaTMKurbanovaNIIshchenkoN. Preparation and properties of metal-containing nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene and butadiene–acrylonitrile rubber. Russ J Appl Chem2021; 94(1): 17–21. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1070427221010031
27.
GuliyevaTMKurbanovaNIMamedovBA, et al.Metal-containing nanocomposites on the basis of isotactic polypropylene and butadiene-nitrile rubber. IJOER2021; 7(3): 11–15. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4647611
28.
GuliyevaTKurbanovaNRagimovaS, et al.Zinc-containing thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites on the basis of isotactic polypropylene. Adv Eng Mater2025: 181–190. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003638049
29.
GuliyevaTMKurbanovaNIIskenderovaEG. Nickel-containing nanocomposites based on isotactic polypropylene and nitrile butadiene rubber. High Energy Chem2025; 59(3): 281–287. https://doi.org/10.1134/S001814392570002X
30.
BurlecAFCorciovaABoevM, et al.Current overview of metal nanoparticles’ synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications, with a focus on silver and gold nanoparticles. Pharmaceuticals2023; 16(10): 1410. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16101410
31.
RamazanovMAMaharramovAMHajiyevaFV, et al.Microwave absorption of polymer nanocomposites on the base high-density polyethylene and magnetite nanoparticles. J Elastomers Plast2019; 51(2): 130–142. https://doi.org/10.1177/009524431876865
32.
PalmaLBavassoISarasiniF, et al.Effect of nano-magnetite particle content on mechanical, thermal and magnetic properties of polypropylene composites. Polym Compos2018; 39(S3): 1742–1750. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.24727
33.
KurbanovaNIMirzoevaNAZeynalovEB, et al.The effect of nickel oxide nanoparticles on the structure and properties of nanocomposites based on high-pressure polyethylene containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes. J Elastomers Plast2024; 56(6): 732–744. https://doi.org/10.1177/00952443241263608
34.
VodyashkinAAKezimanaPProkonovFY, et al.Current methods for synthesis and potential applications of cobalt nanoparticles: a review. Crystals2022; 12(2): 272. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12020272
35.
KhusnuriyalovaAFCaporaliMHey-HawkinsE, et al.Preparation of cobalt nanoparticles. Eur J Inorg Chem2021; 30: 3023–3047. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202100367
36.
ZeynalovEBKurbanovaNIMirzoevaNA, et al.Obtaining a polyethylene composition containing metal nanoparticles. In: 6th international caucasian symposium on polymers & advanced materials. Batumi, Georgia, 2019, p. 116.
37.
HasanMRCoronasJ. How can the filler‐polymer interaction in mixed matrix membranes be enhanced?ChemPlusChem2024; 89(12): e202400456. https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.202400456
38.
BokobzaL. Elastomer nanocomposites: effect of filler–matrix and filler–filler interactions. Polymers2023; 15(13): 2900. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15131900
39.
NingNFuSZhangW, et al.Realizing the enhancement of interfacial interaction in semicrystalline polymer/filler composites via interfacial crystallization. Prog Polym Sci2012; 37(10): 1425–1455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2011.12.005
40.
AfolabiOANdouN. Synergy of hybrid fillers for emerging composite and nanocomposite materials—a review. Polymers2024; 16(13): 1907. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16131907
