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Nanomaterials in rubber industry application

The development of the rubber industry is closely related to the use of nanomaterials. Rubber materials in the 21st century are developing towards high performance and functionalization. Usually, the composite obtained by adding nano powder into the rubber matrix is nano-rubber. The application direction of nano-materials in rubber can be summarized as two aspects: improving mechanical properties and providing some special functions (such as anti-aging, gas barrier and antibacterial).

The common nano powders used for rubber reinforcement and more special functions are mainly oxides nanoparticles, including zinc oxide nanoparticles, alumina nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles and silica nanoparticles. Also there are other nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, silicon nitride nanoparticles, nano graphene, nano diamond, etc.

 

  1. The reinforcing effect of nanomaterials on rubber

The most used and most common reinforcing agent is nano sized silica (SiO2 nanoparticles). The application results of SiO2 in tire production are more reflected in the substantial improvement of the basic performance of tires.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can greatly improve the mechanical properties of composite materials due to their ultra-high strength, great toughness, and unique electrical and thermal conductivity. It is much better than carbon black in terms of wear and abrasion performance, which is beneficial to the development of low-rolling tire tread compounds.

 

  1. Nanomaterials can improve the vulcanization activity of rubber

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an essential additive in the rubber and tire industries, and can be used as a vulcanization activator and reinforcing agent for natural rubber, synthetic rubber and latex, as well as a colorant. When nano zinc oxide is used as a vulcanization activator, compared with ordinary zinc oxide, the dosage can be greatly reduced. In the formulation of rubber shoes, active nano zinc oxide is an excellent inorganic active agent and vulcanization accelerator, which can significantly improve the performance of rubber shoes and prolong its service life. In addition, it can also be used as a sterilant, which can effectively inhibit the reproduction of bacteria. It is also a good UV shielding agent and anti-aging.

 

  1. Nanomaterials can improve the heat resistance of rubber

Nano silicon nitride (Si3N4) is a gray-white high-melting-point crystalline powder, which is a covalent bond compound, and the combination is very stable. It has high chemical stability, high temperature resistance and good wear resistance. Evenly dispersing it into the rubber matrix can significantly improve the service life of heat-resistant rubber products under dynamic conditions.

 

  1. Nanomaterials can be used to produce special thermally conductive tires

Graphene conductive tires can not only meet the high performance requirements of ordinary cars, but also can be widely used in inflammable and explosive goods transport vehicles, special vehicles for electronic equipment, special vehicles for military and police, etc.

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Antibacterial Mechanism and Use of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Nano zinc oxide ZNO is a new type of multifunctional fine inorganic material. Due to the miniaturization of particles, nano zinc oxide powder produces surface effects, small size effects, quantum effects and macro quantum tunneling effects that are not available in bulk materials. It exhibits many special properties, such as non-toxic, non-migrating, fluorescent, piezoelectric, antibacterial and deodorizing, absorbing and scattering ultraviolet rays, etc. Due to the abundant sources of ZnO raw materials and low prices, while zinc is also a mineral element necessary for the human body, nano-ZnO has become one of the hotspots in the research of inorganic antibacterial agents.

Nano-zinc oxide also has many new uses in the field of science and technology, such as manufacturing gas sensors, phosphors, antibacterial materials, ultraviolet shielding materials, varistors, image recording materials, piezoelectric materials, pressure-sensitive materials, varistors, high-efficiency roughness, and magnetism. Materials and plastic films, etc.

There are two antibacterial mechanisms of nano-zinc oxide ZNO:

Photocatalytic antibacterial mechanism. That is, nano-zinc oxide can decompose negatively charged electrons in water and air under the irradiation of sunlight, especially ultraviolet light, while leaving positively charged holes, which can stimulate oxygen change in the air. It is active oxygen, and it oxidizes with a variety of microorganisms, thereby killing the bacteria.

The antibacterial mechanism of metal ion dissolution is that zinc ions will gradually be released. When it comes into contact with the bacteria, it will combine with the active protease in the bacteria to make it inactive, thereby killing the bacteria.

The antibacterial finishing and research on cotton fabrics by nano-zinc oxide and ordinary zinc oxide found that the antibacterial effect of nano-zinc oxide is the result of two antibacterial mechanisms of photocatalysis and metal ion elution. Nano-zinc oxide has antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus Stronger than E. coli, the smaller the size of the nanoparticles, the stronger the photocatalytic effect.

The practical applications of nano-zinc oxide ZNO in antibacterial and anti-ultraviolet functions are summarized as follows:

The field of daily necessities

Applications in apparel, such as sweatshirts, blouses, uniforms, trousers, professional wear, swimwear and children’s wear. It is also used in industry and decoration, such as: advertising cloth, outdoor decoration cloth and so on.

Professional hygiene

For medical use, the antibacterial polyester staple fiber of nano-zinc oxide can be blended with cotton to make hospital bed sheets, surgical gowns, doctor work clothes, patient clothes, etc. For civilian use, it can be used in the food industry and various bedding, furniture cloth, decorative cloth, etc., sterile surgical gowns, sterile masks, sanitary covering materials, etc.

Fields of outdoor work

The anti-ultraviolet properties of nano-zinc oxide make it can be used to produce all kinds of parasols, curtains, transportation tarps and all kinds of tent cloths.

If you need to use nano zinc oxide powder for your application, please contact us.