Effect of modified Kevlar nanofibers on properties of different rubber systems: Experiment and molecular simulation

The interfacial interaction between Kevlar nanofiber modified by epichlorohydrin (m-KNFs) and carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR), and m-KNFs and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and the effect of m-KNFs on the property of the composite were studied by experiment and molecular simulation. The research results showed that m-KNFs had a significant enhancing effect on rubber systems; compared with the m-KNFs/SBR and m-KNFs/XNBR/SBR systems, there were the most hydrogen bonds in the m-KNFs/XNBR system; compared with XNBR, tensile strength of m-KNFs/XNBR nanocomposite increased by 182%, mainly due to the strong hydrogen bonding network structure formed between m-KNF and XNBR matrix, which had the strongest interfacial interaction and the best compatibility.