A nanocomposite of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was fabricated using an internal melt mixer. Systematically investigated the role of MWCNT loading on the mechanical, dielectric, electrical and Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding characteristics of developed nanocomposites. The fine dispersion of MWCNTs in the SBR matrix was clearly observed from high-resolution transmission electron microscope images. The nanocomposites exhibited outstanding electrical, dielectric and EMI shielding behaviours (~45 dB at 20 phr of MWCNT). A high conductivity of 0.92 S/cm was attained in the nanocomposites and is attributable to the establishment of percolation networks of MWCNT in the SBR matrix. These composites displayed reasonably good mechanical properties because of the reinforcing effect of MWCNT. The economically viable and easy fabrication protocol of this nanocomposite can act as a platform for the synthesis of low-cost and highly effective composite for EMI shielding applications.

Natural rubber (NR) composites filled with silica and crosslinked with phenolic resin were prepared in this study. The influence of a small sepiolite addition (1–5 part(s) per hundred parts of rubber, phr) on the properties of NR composites was studied. It was found that sepiolite reduced silica aggregate size, allowing improved dispersion in the NR matrix. Sepiolite facilitates silica dispersion by locating at the silica surfaces and acting as a barrier that prevents agglomeration of silica filler. The swelling resistance, crosslink density, tensile strength, and strain-induced crystallization were all strengthened by incorporating sepiolite because of the improved silica dispersion. The greatest tensile strength was achieved at a 2 phr sepiolite addition level. The improvement was about 18% over the reference composite due to the greatest filler-rubber interactions and the finest filler dispersion. The results clearly indicate that sepiolite clay can be applied as a dispersing agent in silica-containing rubber composites.

The environmental and ecological concerns drive researchers to synthesize functional materials using components from natural resources. Nanocellulose (NC), derived from plants, marine animals, or microorganisms, is a green material attracting attention due to its abundance, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. NC’s interstice properties enable the synthesis of functional nanocomposites in forms like aerogels, foams, paper, sheets, or hollow filaments. This review briefly describes NC classification and production while comprehensively presenting its mechanical, rheological, optical, and electrical properties, offering foundational knowledge for future research. Additionally, it highlights recent developments in NC-based products across fields such as papermaking, water treatment, civil engineering, electronics, cosmetics, food, and medicine. For the first time, this paper explores recent advances in NC molecular simulation, providing insights into structure, arrangement, and interactions through molecular dynamic simulation. Finally, future prospects for NC-based applications are discussed to encourage studies addressing current challenges.

Dynamic cross-linked networks (DCNs) endow thermoset rubber with self-healability and recyclability to extend its lifetime and alleviate environmental pollution. However, the contradiction between high self-healing and mechanical properties in DCNs rubber is always difficult to be resolved. Herein, we used boronic ester (BO) and Diels-Alder dynamic covalent bonds (DA) to synthesize polybutadiene-based dual networks rubber (PB-BO-DA) via thiol-ene reaction. This approach achieved a tensile strength of 16.46 MPa and 99% self-healing efficiency, facilitated by extensive intermolecular interactions (π-π packing and N-B coordination) and fully dynamic cross-linking. In addition, multiple dynamic cross-linked networks (MDCNs) polybutadiene-based rubber also show excellent shape memory ability and recyclability. This strategy might open a helpful pathway to fabricate intelligent multifunctional polymers with high strength and high self-healing efficiency.

This paper extends previous studies by the authors that aimed to describe the effect of apparent cross-link density (CLD) of the rubber polymer networks on the fracture mechanism caused by cut and chip (CC) wear of natural rubber (NR), demonstrating the positive effect of conventional vulcanization (CV). This work is focused on the determination of the effect of CLD while keeping constant the accelerator-to-sulfur ratio A/S = 0.2, typical for CV systems. For this ratio, different sulfur quantities were chosen, and the concentration of the accelerator N-tert-butyl-benzothiazole sulphonamide (TBBS) was calculated to achieve CLDs in a range from 35 to 524 μmol・cm^–3. Standard analyses such as tensile tests, hardness, rebound resilience and DIN abrasion were performed. From these analyses, the optimum physical properties of the NR-based rubber were estimated to be in the CLD range of approximately 60 to 160 μmol・cm^–3. A CC wear analysis was performed with an Instrumented cut and chip analyzer (ICCA) and it was found that the highest CC wear resistance of the NR is in the CLD range of 35 to 100 μmol・cm^–3. Furthermore, the effect of straininduced crystallization (SIC) of NR on CC wear and its dependence on the CLD region was discussed. For the first time, we determine a CLD range for a CV system in which the material achieves both optimal mechanical properties and CC wear resistance.