Electrochemical oxidation of polybutadiene/organoclay nanocomposite bysilver (II)

Electrochemically generated Silver (II) was used for mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO)of vulcanized polybutadiene/organoclay nanocomposite (BRN). X-ray diffraction (XRD) patternand transmission electron microscopy (TEM) pictures verified intercalated organoclay/Cloisite20A morphology in the BRN matrix. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that surfaceroughness of BRN samples were considerably enhanced after oxidation. Scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that weak boundary layer (WBL) on the rubber surfacewas clearly removed after 600 seconds, further oxidation led to surface degradation due tocreation of holes and cracks.

Keywords:

Polybutadiene , Organoclay nanocomposite , Silver(II) , Mediated electrochemicaloxidation , Characterization