Preparation and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Cellulose/Natural Rubber (NCC/Nr) Composites

Surface modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was prepared by silicon-69, and then blended into natural rubber latex to prepare nanocomposites. The nanocomposites properties of tensile properties, tear strength, morphology and thermal dynamic mechanical properties were measured by mechanical property testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), respectively. The results showed that modified NCC is homogeneously distributed throughout NR matrix, which leads to the enhancement on mechanical properties. Moreover, the storage modulus (E) of modified nanocellulose filled NR is higher than unmodified nanocellulose filled NR, and the tanδ is reversed.