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Authors
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Rooj, S. ; Das, A. ; Stöckelhuber, K.W. ; Wang, De-Yi ; Galiatsatos, V. ; Heinrich, G.
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Title
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Understanding the reinforcing behavior of expanded clay particles in natural rubber compounds
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Date
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22.03.2013
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Number
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37782
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Abstract
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We report the unusual mechanical percolation behavior of expanded clay nanoparticles in a natural rubber (NR) matrix. This phenomenon is discussed in terms of fractal dimensions of the nanoparticle cluster. Highly exfoliated structures of nanoparticles in NR are obtained by a process we call the propping-open approach. The impact of filler dispersion and rubberfiller interactions on the viscoelastic behavior of NRclay nanocomposites is systematically investigated. We observe non-linear viscoelastic behavior (Payne effect) at very low nanoparticle concentrations which we attribute to the formation of a network-like structure of the exfoliated clay particles. We rely on the Kraus and MaierGöritz models to interpret such nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. We find that the chain mobility of the NR is greatly reduced based on the viscoelastic master curves. The value of the mechanical percolation threshold (fp) and the fractal nature of nanoparticle clusters are determined through an analysis of the experimental data based on a theory put forward by Huber and Vilgis. The nature of rubberfiller interactions is further understood from swelling experiments utilizing the Kraus and CunneenRussell equations.
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Publisher
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Soft Matter
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Wikidata
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Citation
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Soft Matter 9 (2013) 3798-3808
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DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1039/C3SM27519A
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