Effect of bilayered stearate ion‐modified MgAl layered double hydroxide on the thermal and mechanical properties of silicone rubber nanocomposites

The homogeneous dispersion of nanofillers in polymer matrices to form polymer nanocomposites remains a challenge in the development of high‐performance polymer materials for various applications. In the work reported, a stearate ion‐modified MgAl layered double hydroxide (St‐LDH) as nanofiller was incorporated in a silicone rubber (SR) matrix by solution intercalation and subsequently characterized. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies confirm the formation of a predominantly exfoliated dispersion of St‐LDH layers of 75–100 nm in width and about 1–2 nm in thickness in the SR. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the thermal degradation temperature of the exfoliated SR/St‐LDH (1 wt%) nanocomposites is about 80 °C higher than that of pure SR. Differential scanning calorimetric studies indicate that the melting and crystallization temperatures are higher by 4 and 10 °C for 5 and 8 wt% St‐LDH‐loaded SR nanocomposites compared to neat SR. A significant improvement of 97% in tensile strength and 714% in storage modulus and a reduction of 82% in oxygen permeability have been achieved at 3 wt% St‐LDH loading in SR.