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Nanocomposites based on natural rubber latex as the matrix and naturally occurring tubular shaped nanoclay, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as the reinforcing phase were prepared through co-coagulation method. XRD, morphology, mechanical, and solvent transport properties of the nanocomposites with special reference to weight percentage of nanoclay were analyzed and discussed in detail. Matrix-filler interaction was estimated from Kraus, Cunneen-Russell, and Lorentz-Park plots. Theoretical estimation of reinforcement effect revealed a better interaction between rubber and filler at lower concentration of filler. At higher loading properties decreased due to the formation of filler-filler networks than polymer-filler networks resulting in the reduction of aspect ratio of fillers. Properties of nanocomposites depend on the aspect ratio and volume fraction of reinforcing filler. Morphological analyses of the nanocomposites were done in detail from scanning electron micrographs. Theoretical modulus of nanocomposites was computed using different composite theories by varying the aspect ratio of filler and compared with experimental data. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical values was observed at lower concentration of filler. Solvent transport properties of nanocomposites were found to decrease at lower concentration of HNT because of the tortuosity of the path. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:602-611, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organically modified halloysite nanotube (HNT) containing polysulfone (PSU) membranes were fabricated by the wet phase inversion method. Organic modification of HNT was carried out using telehelic polyetheramine inorder to overcome the poor dispersion of HNT in PSU matrix. Telehelic polyetheramine acts as a dispersing agent and a hydrophilic modifier. FTIR results revealed the hydrogen bond formation between -SO2 of PSU and -NH2 of modified HNT. Based on the obtained results of contact angle measurements, the wettability of membranes were found to increase with the weight percentage of HNT in the presence of polyetheramine. At higher loading of filler the water uptake was found to be increasing due to the aggregation of nanotubes. Porosity values substantiate the results obtained for contact angle and water uptake measurements. Thermogravimetric results showed that the thermal stability of polysulfone (PSU)/HNT nanocomposite membranes decreased when compared to neat PSU due to the presence of aliphatic chain of polyetheramine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]