Exploring the suitability of psyllium husk nano-ash as green nano-filler for development of natural rubber nanocomposite

• Published in: Journal of rubber research 2023-11, Vol.26 (5), p.441-454
• Main Authors: Sikdar, Debdas, Roy, Kumarjyoti, Debnath, Subhas Chandra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Glass; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Natural Materials; Original Paper; Plant Biochemistry; Polymer Sciences
• ISSN: 1511-1768; 2524-3993
• DOI: 10.1007/s42464-023-00228-0

For the first time, an agricultural waste-based nanomaterial, psyllium husk nano-ash (PHNA) was applied as an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and naturally occurring green nano-filler for the development of natural rubber (NR) nanocomposite. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were performed to characterise the psyllium husk-based PHNA. The cure properties including rheometric torque difference ( R ∞ ) and curing rate index (CRI) were found to increase due to the addition of only 3 parts per hundred parts of rubber (phr) of PHNA into the NR matrix. The mechanical properties like moduli at 100% and 300% elongation, tensile strength (TS), percentage of elongation at break (%EB) and elasticity of the NR composites were found to be improved in the presence of the 3 phr of the PHNA. The dispersion of the PHNA particles in the rubber matrix was confirmed by the FESEM analysis. The NR-PHNA compatibility was studied by the conformational entropy change (∆ S ) and the elastic Gibbs free energy change (∆ G ). Thermal stability of the NR composite was also enhanced due to incorporation of the PHNA and this was confirmed by oxidative thermal ageing experiment and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA).