the composites obtained by solgel procedure in the rubber show higher rigidity than
the conventional (NR) SiO 2 obtained by mixing, and it appears that the anisotropy
of the silica precursor is associated both with the cross-linking of the matrix and
with the filler–rubber interaction.
(NR) SiO2 mixed natural rubber
(NR)
(NR)-TEOS
(NR)-TESPT
(NR)-TESPD
(NR)-TMSPM
Fig. 5.45 TEM micrograph of the silica nanocomposites obtained from the indicated precursors.
(NR) SiO 2 is the reference sample prepared by mechanical mixing. Magnification in the right
column [27, 28]
5.54 The Case of Silica–Natural Rubber Composites
141