Abstract
TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) sol particles were first prepared through ClHNO2-EtOH catalysis; and then incorporated into methylated grafted natural rubber (MG49) polymer host. Resultant MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites were characterized through XRD and FTIR analyses. Both MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites had exhibited extensive reduction in semicrystalline phase; but no significant change in structural properties. Low crystalline MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites were further characterized through SEM, TGA and DRA analyses. Both MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites had exhibited different dispersion state on fracture surface. Both MG49-TiO2-SiO2 (30:70) and (70:30) polymer nanocomposites had demonstrated significant improvement in thermal properties, and also some improvement in rheological properties.