ABSTRACT
This chapter describes research on rubber nanocomposites having nanofillers other than nanoclay and nanosilica. It provides a snapshot of the current experimental and theoretical tools being used to advance our understanding of rubber nanocomposites. George et al. have synthesized ethylene–vinyl acetate–graphite nanocomposites using both tailor-made and commercially available expanded graphites. The resultant nanocomposites exhibit superiority in mechanical, thermal, flame retardancy, and processibility. Several metal oxides apart from silica have been investigated and reported for rubber-based nanocomposites. The carbon-based nanofillers are mainly layered graphite, nanotube, and nanofibers. Development of rubber nanocomposites by other nanofillers includes piezo-rubber application by incorporating lead–zirconate by R. P. Tandon et al., Fe-containing silicone rubber by G. Y. Yurkov et al., and crab shell whisker-reinforced natural rubber nanocomposites by K. G. Nair and A. Durfreshe. Chemical pretreatments with amines, silanes, or addition of dispersants improve physical disaggregation of carbon nanotube and help in better dispersion of the same in rubber matrices.
