Stearyl Amine Ethoxylate (SAM) Grafted Montmorillonite Clay-Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Nanocomposites

The present study describes the modification of montmorillonite clay (kunipia F) surface by grafting Stearyl Amine Ethoxylate (SAM). Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provided the evidence of formation of a nanocomposite. The interlayer spacing of the kunipia clay was increased from 1.22 nm (unmodified) to 1.53 nm (modified). The TEM study revealed the intercalated and partially exfoliated nature of the nanocomposites. When the modified clay was compounded with SBR rubber, the interlayer spacing was further increased to 1.88 nm. Remarkable improvements in the mechanical properties were found by the addition of a small amount of modified clay.