Improvement in Dispersion of MWCNTs into EPDM

Abstract

In this study, we examined the improvement in dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM). The dispersion of MWCNTs was observed by an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Normally, MWCNTs were hardly dispersed into non-polar EPDM matrix, and large agglomerates of MWCNTs were observed in the composites. Increase of the mixing time decreased the number of large agglomerates of MWCNTs. At the same mixing time, the higher the milling temperature was, the worse the macro-dispersion of MWCNTs became. However, in order to disperse MWCNTs finely and uniformly, it was effective to raise the mixing temperature.