The effect of tannic acid functional multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on the properties of nitrile rubber/ethylene propylene diene monomer composites

Abstract Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were first non‐covalently functioned by tannic acid (TA), then blended with nitrile rubber (NBR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) NBR:EPDM:TA‐MWCNT = 70:30:5. TA‐MWCNT the composites had been characterized various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Raman analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), mechanical properties testing, thermal‐oxidative aging differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic analysis (DMA), (SEM). Results indicated that TA molecules successfully absorbed to surface of MWCNT. And compared NBR/EPDM/MWCNT composites, compatibility between NBR EPDM significantly improved. The NBR/EPDM/TA‐MWCNT exhibited excellent due phenolic hydroxyl groups on TA‐MWCNT, which high chemical reactivity physical adhesion. These gave better dispersion in matrixes can participate vulcanization process, creating firm interface